Reviewed byArman Magzhanov, MDPsychiatrist, experience 24 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- A psychiatrist, with a psychotherapist involved if needed
- Where
- An office in Almaty, a home visit, or a video call
- Duration
- First consultation 50–60 minutes
- Anonymity
- No documents or real name required, no dispensary registration
- When it’s urgent
- Suicidal thoughts with a plan, aggression, confusion — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- The doctor’s conclusion, an explanation of your condition, a treatment plan
What you should know
Almost every patient asks the same thing at the start of the conversation: “Will I be put on a registry?” Often it is the first thing the dispatcher hears on the phone, even before any complaints. I understand that fear: work, a driver’s license, what relatives will think. That is why an anonymous consultation starts with explaining the rules: you don’t have to give your surname or show an ID, and the doctor is required to keep medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.”
After that, it’s ordinary medical work. People come to me who have been in a low mood for months, whose anxiety keeps them from falling asleep, whose thoughts go around in circles. Some come after a divorce, some after a serious illness, some don’t understand what is happening to them. I ask questions, listen, and sometimes suggest simple tests. In the end, the person leaves not with a label but with a clear explanation of their condition and steps that will help.
Common reasons for an anonymous psychiatric consultation
- low mood, apathy, and loss of interest that have lasted more than two weeks
- anxiety, worry, and tension without a clear reason
- sudden attacks of fear with a racing heart and shortness of breath
- intrusive thoughts or actions that are hard to get rid of
- insomnia, waking early at four or five in the morning, severe nightmares
- outbursts of irritability, mood swings, impulsive actions
- wanting to discuss a loved one’s condition and understand whether they need help
If two or three points apply, it is worth seeing a doctor. Phone advice is free and confidential. If life is at risk, call 103 or 112.
Why anonymity matters so much
Many people put off seeing a psychiatrist for years for fear that word will get out. They think they will be entered into a database, that their employer will find out, that they will be refused a driver’s license. As a result, depression or an anxiety disorder drags on, and insomnia and alcohol “to relax” are added on top. An anonymous format lets people come earlier, while the condition is easier to treat.
Paid anonymous care at Narcology 24 does not involve registration with the state dispensary. Information about the visit, diagnosis, and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality. It may be disclosed without the patient’s consent only in cases explicitly provided for by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for example at a court’s request. This is not just a promise from the clinic but a requirement of the Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.”
What happens at the consultation
You choose the format: office, home, or video. For residents of upper Almaty and the Medeu and Bostandyk districts, coming in person is convenient, while people from the Turksib district or the suburbs often choose online or a home visit. Bring discharge summaries, a list of medications, and test results if you have them. During the appointment, the doctor asks about your complaints, when they began, sleep, appetite, work, relationships, and alcohol. Then they explain what they see, give a preliminary diagnosis according to ICD-10, and suggest a treatment plan.
An office or online consultation is not suitable if the person is in acute psychosis, agitated, aggressive, has a specific suicide plan, or has already tried to harm themselves. In these cases, call 103 or 112. If the condition is serious but there is no danger to life, it is better to call a psychiatrist to the home than to wait for an appointment.
How we help
Clinical interview
The core of the consultation. The doctor finds out your complaints, how they developed, family history, past illnesses, and use of medications and substances. They assess thinking, emotions, attention, memory, and insight. The conversation moves at a calm pace, without rush or judgment, and you can ask questions at any moment. If you come with a relative, the doctor will spend part of the conversation with you alone and part with both of you.
Psychological testing
If needed, the doctor offers standardized scales and questionnaires to assess depression, anxiety, and sleep. They don’t make a diagnosis on their own, but they help gauge how severe the symptoms are more precisely and then track progress during treatment. The questionnaires take 10–15 minutes and can be completed online in advance; the doctor will go over the results with you in person and explain what each score means.
Conclusion and plan
At the end, the doctor explains in plain language what is going on. If medication is needed, they discuss the class of drugs, the expected effect, possible side effects, and how long treatment will take. If psychotherapy is indicated, they recommend a psychotherapist. If a physical cause is suspected, they refer you for tests with other specialists. All of this is put in writing.
Ongoing support
Treatment doesn’t end after one meeting. Follow-up consultations, in person or online, are scheduled, usually in 1–2 weeks and then less often. The Narcology 24 doctor adjusts the treatment, monitors side effects, and helps decide when and how to stop it safely. Between appointments, you can message or call the doctor if you have questions or notice side effects.
Myths and facts
MythAnonymous means unofficial and unprofessional
FactAn anonymous consultation is conducted by a licensed doctor under the same clinical standards as a regular one. The only difference is that you don’t have to give your name and you are not placed on a registry.
MythA psychiatrist will immediately put you on pills for life
FactTreatment is chosen for the specific condition. Often it is a course of several months, sometimes psychotherapy alone. Lifelong treatment is rarely needed and is always discussed with the patient. The decision is always made together with you.
MythOnly seriously ill people see a psychiatrist
FactMost visits are related to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress. These are common and very treatable conditions, and an early visit often means gentler treatment is enough.
How a home visit works
- Call or message usThe dispatcher answers 24/7 and in 3–5 minutes checks the person's condition, age, how long the drinking or use has lasted, chronic conditions and the address. No surname needed.
- The doctor sets offAn addiction doctor or psychiatrist comes with equipment and medication. Travel time depends on the district — usually within an hour. If inpatient care or an ambulance is needed, we'll say so straight away.
- Examination and treatmentBlood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood sugar if needed and a neurological check. Then an IV drip or other treatment as indicated, 1–3 hours.
- A plan for the next daysAdvice for the family on what to do overnight and tomorrow, phone follow-up and a repeat visit if needed.
- Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.
Prices in Almaty
| Online psychiatrist consultation | 15 000 ₸ |
| In-person psychiatrist consultation | 18 000 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist home visit | 40 000 ₸ |
| Phone advice | free |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
Narcology 24 in Almaty: our duty team makes home visits day and night, usually within an hour (all city districts and nearby settlements). Two branches for appointments and procedures — 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. When indicated, we arrange admission and transport.
Confidential and private
Information about your request, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We do not share it with employers, schools, the police or neighbours; the only exceptions are those expressly set by law. A first name is enough to call us, and paid confidential treatment does not mean a registry entry.
Questions and answers
Do I need to show an ID?
No. You can come to an anonymous consultation without documents and under any name. Documents are needed only if you require an official certificate, a sick note, or a prescription that requires personal data. For a regular consultation and treatment, the name you choose to give is enough.
Will my employer find out that I saw a psychiatrist?
No. The clinic does not share information with employers, relatives, or other organizations. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System,” and exceptions are possible only on grounds explicitly stated in the law. The clinic’s staff are also bound by a non-disclosure obligation.
Can I come to a consultation on behalf of a loved one?
Yes. Relatives often come first to understand how serious the situation is. The doctor will ask in detail about the loved one’s behavior, explain possible causes, and suggest how to gently offer them an examination. If the loved one agrees, the next meeting can take place at your home.
How many consultations will I need?
Sometimes one is enough to understand what is going on and get recommendations. If treatment is started, follow-up meetings take place in 1–2 weeks and then once a month. The doctor will discuss the exact schedule with you at the end of the first appointment. It’s best not to skip appointments without agreeing on it first.
Can I get a consultation at night?
Yes, the on-call psychiatrist works around the clock. At night, consultations are usually held by video or as a home visit. A scheduled in-person office appointment is best booked during the day, especially if you are coming from an outlying district. At night, the team gets around the city fastest, without traffic jams.
Will the consultation affect my driver’s license?
An anonymous consultation at a private clinic does not create records in the system that is checked when driver’s licenses are issued. At the same time, the doctor will tell you honestly if your condition or medications temporarily make it unsafe to drive. This is discussed openly and is not written into any documents.
Where do doctors visit in Almaty and where are the branches?
Home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements, 24/7. Appointments at two branches: 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. Phone in Almaty: +7 (700) 309-29-88.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Narcology 24 medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) guidelines on alcohol and drug misuse and mental health conditions
- WHO recommendations on the treatment of substance use disorders
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
