Psykiatrilagen

Psykiatrilagen is the Swedish law that governs compulsory psychiatric care. It regulates when a person with a severe mental illness may be deprived of voluntary decision-making and placed in psychiatric care against their will, and it sets out the procedures, safeguards and rights connected to such care. The act covers admissions, treatment and supervision in psychiatric facilities under coercive arrangements and aims to balance the need for care with respect for the patient’s autonomy and dignity.

The law applies to adults in most cases and includes provisions for the circumstances under which compulsory care can be imposed, the duration and scope of the care, and the requirement that less intrusive alternatives must be considered first. It also defines the roles of medical professionals and the authorities responsible for authorizing coercive measures, as well as the conditions that must be met for continued detention or treatment.

A central feature of psykiatrilagen is the safeguard framework designed to protect patients. Individuals subject to compulsory care have rights to information, to participate in decisions as far as possible, and to obtain legal representation or a guardian ad litem when needed. There are mechanisms for review and appeal of decisions, typically through administrative or judicial channels, ensuring that coercive measures are regularly evaluated and proportionate to the clinical need.

The act functions within Sweden’s broader mental health and human rights framework, with ongoing emphasis on minimizing coercion and ensuring medically appropriate, rights-respecting care.