The influx to child and youth psychiatry (Bup) has increased constantly in recent years – but the resources have not increased at the same rate. Today, more than half of those who apply to Bup have to wait longer for a first visit than the target of 30 days.
The Social Democrats believe that more children and young people with mental illness should be able to get help at an earlier stage.
One suggestion is a faster contact with care in what is called “One way in”. It can be a phone number that children or their parents can call to get help at the right level of care.
Prioritize resources
They also want to expand first-line psychiatry with more counselors and psychologists at the health centers, strengthen student health, and increase the number of youth clinics. In addition, S believes that a national support line for mental illness should be introduced that can provide support via phone or chat.
S also promises not to sell out Bup in the regions where the party is involved and governs after the election.
TT: How will the investments be financed?
— It is financed by prioritizing in one’s regions. It’s not that the regions don’t have money, but it’s about prioritizing the resources you have, says Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S).
Throughout the country
She emphasizes that during the past five years, S has set aside nearly nine billion kroner from the national side.
— To enable such development work throughout the country, regardless of who is in charge.
She cannot say what sums may be involved in the future.
— We must come back to it when we have the opportunity to lay down the next budget. But we have made investments of billions in the past years and see that we continue with it, says Hallengren.
The Social Democrats are in power in nine of the country’s 21 regions.
TT: What responsibility do you yourselves have for the shortcomings?
— Where S rules, we of course have a responsibility. It is a regional issue, and that is why we are clear in saying that in the regions where we get the opportunity to govern, it is about making sure it becomes easier to get in early and to invest more in Bup, not sell it out, says Lena Hallengren.