Authorities from the Ministry of Health have defended the reported exemption of Russian laborers to be admitted into mental health facilities.
The Russian Ministry of Health has announced updates to mandatory psychiatric evaluations for employees, effective from March 1, 2026. Contrary to speculations on Telegram channels, these changes are not as drastic as suggested, aiming instead to reduce the number of people required to undergo these evaluations.
The updates, outlined in Order No. 342n, issued on June 18, 2021, focus primarily on safety-critical roles such as public transport operators, drivers, pilots, individuals working with hazardous substances, personnel in nuclear facilities, and other positions where mental stability is crucial.
Mandatory psychiatric examinations are required during pre-employment medical screenings, periodic health checks, and post-accident or incident investigations. The aim is to ensure that employees do not have mental health conditions that could impair their ability to perform safely.
Evaluations are conducted by medical institutions authorized by the state according to approved protocols. The order specifies the forms, procedures, and medical standards for conducting these assessments.
Employees' medical data, including psychiatric evaluation results, are protected by confidentiality rules. Order 342n emphasizes non-discrimination: psychiatric evaluations should only be used to confirm fitness for work-related responsibilities and not for unjustified exclusion from employment.
Prior to the entry into force of Order No. 342n in September 2022, all workers in certain categories, including transport, law enforcement, food industry, education, and other sectors, underwent mandatory psychiatric evaluation every five years. Under the new changes, workers in these categories will only undergo mandatory psychiatric evaluation if referred by their employer, following signs of illness during periodic examinations.
From September 1, Russia will tighten requirements for drivers with mental disorders. The specifics of the exact diagnoses that will prevent one from driving are not specified in the article. It's important to note that the changes do not involve sending workers to asylums, as incorrectly suggested by some sources.
These updates to mandatory psychiatric evaluations for employees are part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to refine and update previous regulations to better align psychiatric screening with modern medical standards.
- The updates to mandatory psychiatric evaluations, outlined in Order No. 342n, not only focus on safety-critical roles but also incorporate mental health in the broader context of health-and-wellness, emphasizing the importance of mental stability in a variety of jobs.
- As part of the refined regulations for psychiatric evaluations, therapies-and-treatments will be considered when addressing mental health conditions identified during evaluations, aiming to promote mental-health wellbeing and ensure employees' capacity to perform safely.
