The number of calls about suicide and mental illness has on average, in 2017 compared to 2022, increased from 8 calls to 17 per day within police region Mitt, which includes Västmanland.
The calls are often time-consuming and require special skills in the ambulance service that do not exist today.
- We have training.
We have understanding and experience, but we would need to have that extra knowledge, says Henrik Lindelöf, director of operations at the healthcare emergency center and the ambulance service.
Psychiatric staff go out to the patients
Solutions that are being discussed include a psychiatric ambulance, and other mobile solutions, where psychiatric staff go out to see the patients.
- We see a win-win situation for many.
The patient gets better care and the police can leave it to other professional actors, says Henrik Lindelöf.
Support for competence development
At the turn of the year, Region Västmanland applied for a city grant for the development of pre-hospital emergency care for patients with mental illness.
What do you want to achieve with the money?
- We have identified that we need to increase competence.
We also need to give the ambulance services better support in where they should turn, where they should guide patients who feel mentally ill, says Christine Center, director of operations for adult psychiatry.
In the clip, you hear Christine Center and Henrik Lindelöf about solutions to the strained situation.