It is a comprehensive and long-term strategy that involves assignments to over 20 authorities, which is now being presented. The strategy "It's about life" aims to create improved mental health in the entire population and fewer lost lives in suicide.
Many people feel unwell, says Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD).
Too many in our society see no other way out of a dark situation than to end their lives, he continues.
Everyone's Responsibility
The strategy now being presented is said to be unique in its kind, as it involves the entire society. It is based on a foundation provided by the Public Health Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare, and 24 other authorities to the government in 2023.
Overall, the strategy has four overarching goals – better mental health in the entire population, fewer suicides, reduced differences in mental health, and reduced negative consequences of psychiatric conditions.
It's time for Sweden to wake up, says Minister for Social Affairs Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M).
She emphasizes the situation of young people and their need for increased support and care. Waltersson Grönvall also says that the problem of mental illness is not limited to Sweden, but permeates the entire world.
Parents and other adults also have an important responsibility, and Waltersson Grönvall highlights the importance of child health centers and the expansion of family centers as key parts to achieve this.
We all need to take individual responsibility as fellow human beings, which is difficult to legislate. But when mental illness is now being addressed more broadly and children and young people can talk about it in a natural way that is not shameful, we can make a big difference.
"The Whole Society"
We need to think anew and think differently. It's not just a responsibility for healthcare. We need to mobilize the entire society's resources, she says.
The strategy includes about 70 prioritized measures that cover everything from preventing involuntary loneliness to knowledge about digital media use and combating exclusion in the labor market and in schools.
There are many factors that make a person feel unwell. It's often not originally about a disease, but about exclusion that creates a disease, says The Liberals' health policy spokesperson Lina Nordqvist (L).
Social Minister Forssmed emphasizes that with the overall direction of the strategy, it must not become "divided responsibility is no one's responsibility" among the authorities.
Follow-up will be an important part of the work, he says.
In acute situations or when thinking about suicide, always call 112.
You can turn to the following if you're feeling unwell:
Mind.se.
Suicide Zero – suicidezero.se.
Spes – the national association for suicide prevention and bereavement support. spes.se.
BRIS – children's rights in society. bris.se.
Save the Children – raddabarnen.se. Also for parents.
Anonymous Alcoholics – aa.se.
Jourhavande kompis – receives calls from children and young people up to 25 years old. jourhavandekompis.se.
Jourhavande medmänniska – can be reached at night on 08–702 16 80.
Friends – friends.se.
1177 – healthcare advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency department. 1177.se
