It was on Christmas Day that a 55-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her home in Boden. The victim's two teenage daughters were also injured. The man was shot dead by police.
The 22-year-old's mother told NSD that she called the health department just days before the attack. Her son was taken into compulsory care but released a day later, according to the mother. He is suspected of killing the woman.
"All of Sweden was shocked by this horrific murder, almost a horror movie scenario that takes place in everyday Swedish life," says Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.
But the analysis must not stop in Boden, he continues.
Reviewing compulsory care
The government announces that the 1.5 billion kronor previously announced for adult psychiatry will primarily be used to increase care capacity. A contract will be signed with Sweden's regions to ensure this happens.
"My impression is that with lower capacity, yes, sometimes you are discharged too early," Forssmed says.
Exactly how many new places you want to see is not decided, but will be decided by the National Board of Health and Welfare together with the regions.
The government also wants to review the law on compulsory psychiatric care. The possibilities for compulsory care may need to be increased - current legislation is not adapted to the problems seen in society today, according to the minister.
These are very short admissions that then amount to nothing. The person is no longer considered to meet the criteria for closed psychiatric inpatient care, but that does not mean the person is healthy.
Risk assessments also need to be improved before discharge. For example, doctors may need to ask more frequently about violent thoughts.
"There are several who have pointed out that it is done to too little extent, that people are not used to asking these types of questions," Forssmed says.
Police and relatives
Furthermore, there is a need to review confidentiality so that relatives can receive more information about the care, and when a person is discharged, a relative should be informed.
Even the police, who spend large resources on caring for the mentally ill, need better insight into what happens to the patients, according to the minister.
It is clear that the current order is not working. Change is absolutely necessary.
He calls the high-profile cases that have occurred recently in Boden and Harmånger, among others, failures for society.
