Mental health support for British nationals in Russia
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Russia.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 112 or 103 and ask for the ambulance or police.
For less urgent medical attention make an appointment with a doctor. See our list of medical facilities in Russia.
Medical or emergency services staff are unlikely to speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Russia
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and travel advice for Russia.
Russia has strict regulations on the importation and use of psychoactive substances. Bringing narcotic or psychoactive substances into Russia can be a criminal offence.
If your medication contains narcotic or psychoactive substances, you must carry a prescription in your name with a certified Russian translation. Contact the Russian Embassy in the UK or check the Russian government’s legal portal for details (these sites may not be accessible outside Russia).
Accessing medicines in Russia
You may find it difficult to obtain certain medicines in Russia. If you take regular medication, you should bring enough to last for your stay. You should not bring more medication than you have been prescribed for the length of your stay.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Russia, you should make an appointment with a certified psychiatrist. In Russia, you can buy prescription medicines only with a Russian prescription.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Russia. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Public and private hospitals with mental health facilities as well as specialised psychiatric hospitals are available in Russia, but the quality of psychiatric services varies substantially across the network of providers. It may be below UK standards at public facilities and outside major cities. You should consider whether this impacts your ability to travel there.
Patients normally contact a doctor through a medical institution. Private medical practice in Russia is not widespread.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Russia you need to be examined by a certified psychiatrist. They may refer you to an inpatient medical facility depending on your health condition.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a danger to themselves or others. In Russia this is called недобровольная (involuntary) or принудительная (forced) госпитализация.
This is comparable to ’sectioning’ in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries. If a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital in Russia. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Outpatient treatment
You should also be able to access outpatient care in Russia. You can find information about medical facilities that offer outpatient mental health care on our list of medical facilities for Russia.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Russia without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance. Your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover Russia. The UK has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with Russia.
You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance.
If you do not have any insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Russia for advice. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in Russia.
Support from agencies and organisations in Russia
Contact these organisations in Russia for mental health support and advice, legal and social support:
- Independent Psychiatric Association – rights-based non-governmental organisation providing legal support to persons with mental health issues
- Family and Mental Health – non-governmental centre for social, psychological and information support
- New Opportunities – non governmental organisation, offers support to people with mental health issues and their families
- Soul - Charitable Foundation for Help to MH patients – non governmental organisation, supports people with mental health issues
- ANO Rights Protection Service – non-governmental organisation, provides pro bono legal advice and support to people with mental health issues and their families
These organisations may not have English-speaking staff.
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
- Befrienders Worldwide with the Samaritans
- World Federation for Mental Health
- World Health Organization
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.