A recent report published by the advocacy group Psynlighet has raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of psychiatric patients in Sweden. The report compiles 1,273 anonymous testimonies from individuals who have received psychiatric care from 2019 to 2025. The testimonies detail a range of issues, including routine restraints and aggressive medication practices, which many patients feel are their only options for care. Violent encounters and mistreatment have been reported, further illustrating the dire state of psychiatric care.

Freja Lindstedt from Psynlighet emphasized that there are structural deficiencies within the psychiatric system that need to be addressed. According to the report, many patients express feeling powerless in the face of their treatment experiences, with numerous accounts pointing to poor communication and lack of appropriate responses to their needs. Lindstedt’s hope is that the publication of this report will prompt healthcare providers to take patient feedback more seriously, leading to necessary reforms in their approach to psychiatric care.

The report underscores the importance of patient influence in improving psychiatric care. Lindstedt advocates for a shift towards a more inclusive model where patients' voices are heard, indicating that such changes are crucial for the enhancement of mental health services. The current reports of abuse and inadequate treatment call for immediate action from clinicians and policymakers to ensure a rights-based approach in psychiatric care delivery.