2024–2025 international comparison reveals major gaps in access, violence, and crisis‑response systems, strengthening calls for U.S. reforms that allow families to intervene during psychiatric emergencies
Families Rights Matter2 Releases New International Data Revealing U.S. Mental Health Crises Outpace Sweden's Family-Centered Model
KANSAS CITY, KS, February 01, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Families Rights Matter2, a national movement advocating for family rights in mental health emergencies, today released a groundbreaking international comparison highlighting the stark contrast between the U.S. and Sweden's approaches to mental health crises. The data reveal that the United States faces significantly higher rates of severe mental illness, lethal violence, and crisis escalation compared to Sweden's family-centered model. These findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in the U.S. that enable families to intervene during psychiatric emergencies.
Key Findings:
- New 2024-2025 data comparing U.S. and Swedish mental health outcomes and crisis response systems reveal a stark contrast in approaches and outcomes.
- The U.S. faces significantly higher rates of severe mental illness, lethal violence, and crisis escalation compared to Sweden's family-centered model.
The Movement's Call to Action:
Families Rights Matter2 is calling for reforms that allow families to be involved in their loved ones' care, particularly during mental health emergencies. The movement aims to demonstrate that family involvement and clinical crisis teams can reduce violence and improve outcomes. To achieve this, the U.S. must reform HIPAA-related barriers that currently block families from helping their loved ones.
About Families Rights Matter2:
Families Rights Matter2 is a national movement advocating for family rights in mental health emergencies. Led by national advocacy leader Leon Shelmire Jr., the organization is dedicated to promoting family-centered approaches to mental health care and crisis response.
MENTAL HEALTH & VIOLENCE COMPARISON (2024–2025)
Mental Illness Prevalence (Adults)
United States: 23.4% reported experiencing mental illness in 2024 [1.2.9].
Sweden: 24% reported emotional distress (anxiety/sadness) in recent survey data [1.1.1].
Homicide Rate (per 100k)
United States: Approximately 5.0 to 7.9 [1.2.7, 1.5.9].
Sweden: Approximately 1.0 to 1.2 [1.2.7, 1.1.5].
Suicide Rate (per 100k)
United States: 14.1 (reported as the highest among high-income countries) [1.1.3].
Sweden: 15.2 (among those aged 15+) as of 2023 [1.1.4].
Public Concern Priority
United States: 50% of citizens rank mental health as a top healthcare priority [1.2.2].
Sweden: 63% of citizens rank mental health as the #1 healthcare priority.
KEY DIFFERENCES IN CRISIS & VIOLENCE
1. Access to Care
According to the Commonwealth Fund, Sweden integrates mental‑health professionals into over 90% of primary care practices, compared to just 33% in the United States. This early‑intervention model prevents crises from escalating.
2. Crisis Response
- United States: Most crises are handled by armed police, increasing the risk of escalation and lethal outcomes.
- Sweden: Crises are handled primarily by clinical crisis teams, with police involved only when necessary.
3. Family Involvement
- United States: HIPAA often blocks families from warning responders or participating in crisis intervention.
- Sweden: Clinicians may involve family when safety is at risk, preventing misunderstandings and reducing violence.
4. Violence Outcomes
The U.S. consistently records higher homicide rates, higher firearm involvement, and higher crisis‑related fatalities than Sweden, a country that treats families as partners in care.
STATEMENT FROM LEON SHELMIRE JR., FOUNDER OF FAMILIES RIGHTS MATTER2
"Every day in America, families are forced to stand helpless as their adult loved ones spiral into crisis, only to be told they're not allowed to intervene due to HIPAA restrictions – even when their loved one is a danger to themselves or others. Meanwhile, countries like Sweden are showing us a better, safer way forward by treating families as partners, not outsiders. The evidence is clear: when families are empowered to help, lives are saved. It's time for the United States to follow Sweden's lead and adopt a family-centered, safety-first approach."
BACKGROUND
- The U.S. has higher rates of severe mental illness, higher homicide rates, and higher suicide rates than Sweden.
- Sweden's system is built on early access, clinical crisis response, and family involvement.
- Families Rights Matter2 is calling for national reform to allow families to intervene before a crisis becomes fatal.
CALL TO ACTION
Families Rights Matter2 urges lawmakers, health‑care leaders, and the public to support reforms that:
- Allow families to share information during crises
- Prioritize clinical crisis teams over police response
- Reduce preventable deaths
- Protect individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies
Support the national petition:
https://www.change.org/p/reform-hipaa-for-families-rights-in-mental-health-emergencies (change.org in Bing)
MEDIA CONTACT
Families Rights Matter2
Kansas City, Kansas
Email: familiesrightsmatter2@gmail.com
Website: https://familiesrightsmatter2.shelmireministries.org/
Hashtag: #familiesrightsmatter2
About Families Rights Matter2
Families Rights Matter2 is a national advocacy movement dedicated to protecting families during mental health emergencies. Founded by Leon Shelmire Jr., our organization combines data-driven research, public safety analysis, and personal experience to expose the urgent need for reform in the U.S. mental health system. We're working to educate lawmakers, empower communities, and advance legislation that prioritizes safety, compassion, and family involvement. Through strategic public campaigns, press outreach, and national partnerships, Families Rights Matter2 is committed to reducing preventable tragedies and building a mental health system that treats families as essential partners in care.
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