Psychiatry: belt restraints increasing

For the first time in ten years, the number of mentally ill people who are strapped with restraints is rising, according to new figures from the Danish Health and Medicines Authority. From July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, the number of belt restraints stood at 4,212. The number increased to 4,722 between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Secretary General of Better Psychiatry Jane Alrø Sørensen is disheartened by the development. “When the number of belt restraints increases, it is because the situation in psychiatry is serious. There is no correlation between the amount of resources available to psychiatry and the number of patients who need help. Jane Alrø Sørensen believes that there is a need for psychiatry to be given more finances. This will ensure that more staff are recruited and that there will be more time for the individual patient. /ritzau/