In the intervening days, a woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to an ICA store in Västerås. Just a few hours before, the woman had been discharged from psychiatry in Västerås. Now the relatives are talking about psychiatric care that did not take the woman’s well-being seriously.
– How could it go this far? That she became a danger to herself and others. She shouldn’t have been out, says a close relative.
The fire at Ica occurred after a chain of care with several notable events. At the end of November, the woman’s mental condition rapidly worsens and on December 5th she is admitted to compulsory care. Three days later, her first leave is granted, but after two hours the woman arrives by ambulance after an alleged suicide attempt.
Thrown out burning objects
Four days later, compulsory care transitions to outpatient care, which is based on voluntariness. In the coming weeks, 112 is called on several occasions by relatives who are very worried. On the evening of Christmas Eve, the police come to the woman’s apartment after she allegedly threw burning objects from the balcony.
– The police had to go in with quite violent force to be able to get her and they break open the door and take her to the ward, says a relative.
She is taken to psychiatry in Västerås but is discharged on Christmas morning. After a few hours, Ica is on fire. The woman’s lawyer describes the act as a cry for help.
– She has not entered her own home and been in despair, and she has not been able to call for help. It has been a desperate situation for her and she has done this to get help, but then things have gone wrong, her lawyer Jari Smolander told TV4 Nyheterna earlier.
Worked as a teacher
The woman worked as a teacher and is described by relatives as smart, funny and generous. Those close to her have seen up close how the woman’s condition quickly worsened.
– How can you discharge someone who is obviously in a psychosis? Why has no relative been contacted? Why has she been left to fend for herself? We do not feel that anyone has taken our concerns seriously.
Those responsible within the Västmanland region do not want to appear for an interview, but write in an email:
“What has happened is regrettable. For the woman, relatives and of course for those who have been affected. Due to current confidentiality regulations, I cannot provide any further information.”
– There are no words. I’m thankful no one was hurt. But it has still damaged her life forever, says a close relative.