Gustaf suffers from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, with schizophrenia described by the World Health Organization as one of the most severe illnesses. His conditions cause constant fear, including that outsiders will poison his food and that his breathing disturbs people and animals. His full-time working parents, Anneli and Micke, handle his daily care, including cleaning, cooking, medication, and hygiene.
Last fall, they reported in Uppdrag granskning that they asked Flen municipality for help but faced repeated rejections. Just before Christmas, the municipality granted Gustaf housing support, but three months later, nothing has changed. Gustaf has started feeling worse again during the winter, and months have passed without help.
The parents have asked to temporarily serve as relative supporters to train the housing support person, but the Care and Social Services Committee gives ambiguous responses, stating the municipality does not offer relative employment and has not presented a solution. Iris Pettersson, social director in Flen, says the different responses seem due to a communication error, adding guidelines are clear and one can contact those who investigate and decide. Håkan Bergsten, municipal manager, says it is always sad and they do not want anyone to move, but they should do what is needed so people can feel good and live there.
The family has started looking at other solutions, such as LSS housing in another municipality, which would mean a big adjustment and living farther from his parents. Soon the family cannot take it anymore.