Psynlighet

The challenge

In 2023 there were over 447,000 people who were being treated within the specialised psychiatric care system in Sweden, and over 12,600 patients who underwent inpatient care under Lagen om psykiatrisk tvångsvård (LPT). Sharp criticism has been and continues to be raised towards the Swedish psychiatric system; pointing towards deep rooted challenges regarding the division of responsibilities between primary care and specialist psychiatry, inconsistent access to quality care, inadequate patient representation, and widespread stigma that silences those with lived experience.

Structural gaps in psychiatric care result in fragmented support and a lack of holistic, patient-centered approaches. Where patients with lived experience of maltreatment within the psychiatric system encounters barriers, stigma and distrust when expressing experiences of neglect and maltreatment within the system.

Turning challenge into opportunity

Founded by Hanna Larsson, Psynlighet was borne out of her own lived experiences within the psychiatric system after battling an eating disorder during her teen years. The maltreatment she encountered during her inpatient treatment fueled her commitment to ensuring humanitarian care for those in contact with the system.

Psynlighet was started with the vision of driving structural change within the system and providing a platform that amplifies the voices of the psychiatric patients who historically have had a difficulty in being heard and believed. Through Opsynliga.se, an anonymous platform for sharing lived experiences, Psynlighet highlights systemic issues and advocates for urgent reforms.

The organization pushes for independent inquiries into psychiatric care compliance and better standards for neuroleptic use, addressing the overmedication of young women in inpatient care. Beyond advocacy, Psynlighet fosters empowerment and collaboration, uniting patients, media, policymakers, and healthcare providers to create a more transparent, humane, and patient-centered psychiatric system.