Sofia Renberg stands at Örnäsets cemetery in Luleå, northern Sweden. The earth above her older brother's grave has barely settled. Fredrik Ökvist ended his life on October 4 and was buried on October 31.
"He previously lived a completely normal life," his sister Sofia Renberg said in a statement. "He was a family man with two children and a partner. He worked as a professional driver. He loved ice fishing, being in the mountains, and riding snowmobiles."
The siblings maintained a close relationship, often spending time together and traveling on vacations. But when Fredrik's partner became ill and died from severe cancer in 2019, his world turned upside down.
"She received palliative care and he stayed by her side until she died," Renberg explained. "He took it extremely hard and after that, his entire life collapsed. And it happened quickly."
Just months after his partner's passing, Fredrik developed a severe substance abuse problem. Mental health struggles and homelessness followed. "He ended up in a very bad situation," his sister noted.
Renberg has filed complaints with both the Health and Social Care Inspectorate and the patient advisory committee. Despite having power of attorney, psychiatric services in Norrbotten County refuse to comment on the case, citing confidentiality.
"In cases where suicide is confirmed and healthcare is involved, we create an incident report for deviations," said Andreas Eklund, acting operations manager at Sunderby Hospital's psychiatric department. "Then the Region Norrbotten Lex-Maria physician assesses and decides the next steps in the process."
This tragic case highlights serious concerns about Sweden's mental health crisis response. When individuals reach out for help with suicidal thoughts, the system appears to fail them too often. The Nordic welfare model, often praised for comprehensive healthcare, shows clear gaps in psychiatric emergency care.
Northern Sweden faces particular challenges with mental health services due to vast geographical areas and limited resources. The region's long dark winters also contribute to higher rates of depression and seasonal affective disorder.
Family members often bear the emotional burden when mental healthcare systems fail to provide adequate intervention. The case raises questions about follow-up procedures for patients discharged with suicide risk.
Sweden's suicide prevention efforts have shown progress over recent decades, but individual tragedies like Fredrik's demonstrate where the system still falls short. Better coordination between substance abuse treatment and mental health services could prevent similar outcomes.
If you experience unbearable emotional distress or have suicidal thoughts, contact a psychiatric emergency department or call 112 immediately.
Several organizations provide support:
Mind Suicide Line offers chat support via their website or phone counseling at 901 01, available 24/7.
Bris – Children's Rights in Society provides chat and phone support at 116 111 for young people in crisis.
On-call human support volunteers are available by chat Saturday through Tuesday from 9 PM to midnight, or by phone at 08-702 16 80 daily from 9 PM to 6 AM.
On-call clergy can be reached by calling 112 and requesting connection, available nightly from 9 PM to 6 AM.
Healthcare Guide 1177 offers guidance on where to seek care, operating 24/7.
Spes – National Association for Suicide Prevention and Survivor Support runs a helpline for those bereaved by suicide at 020-18 18 00, open daily from 7 PM to 10 PM.