Concerns raised over exclusion of Reykjalundur area in mental health facility plans in Iceland

Concerns have been raised regarding the exclusion of the Reykjalundur area in Mosfellsbær from the new mental health facility planned by Landspítali, the national hospital in Iceland. The facility is expected to be constructed within a five-kilometer radius of Landspítali’s main location on Hringbraut.

Sveinn Guðmundsson, the chairman of the board of SÍBS (The Icelandic Mental Health Association), expressed regret over the government’s decision, highlighting that discussions with the relevant ministry have been ongoing for well over a year. He noted that the current premises for the mental health division at Landspítali are inadequate for its operations and that similar issues apply to Reykjalundur facilities.

SÍBS and Reykjalundur officials had proposed to policymakers that the development of the new treatment center should coincide with upgrades to the Reykjalundur facilities. This would allow patients transitioning from Landspítali’s care to continue their rehabilitation at Reykjalundur.

Chairman Guðmundsson emphasized the urgent need for substantial renovations at Reykjalundur to meet the demands of modern mental health treatment. The facilities, he pointed out, have become outdated and require significant investments to improve services for the community.

This situation highlights the ongoing dialogue in Iceland regarding the accessibility and quality of mental health services, as stakeholders advocate for collaborative solutions that meet the requirements of patients in need of care.