Many young Norwegians are struggling with mental health problems, new study shows

Young sadPhoto: Toa Heftiba / Unsplash

In the last 30 years, more and more young people in Norway have been struggling with mental health problems. The pandemic makes everyday life more difficult, according to a study.

“We have seen a steady increase in mental health problems among young people since the early 1990s,” NOVA researcher Anders Bakken at Oslo Met told news bureau NTB.

This year’s Ungdata report, which was published this autumn, showed, however, that the increase has stopped for the first time, but the investigations into the report were admittedly interrupted when the pandemic came.

Bakken emphasizes that it is quite common for young people to struggle with various minor mental ailments in their teens, but he is still concerned that many struggle with large and persistent conditions.

“What we see is that young people who report mental health problems have a pretty bad life in many areas. 

“They more often experience dissatisfaction at school, more bullying, problems in relationships with others, and more pressure in everyday life,” he said.

“Worrying”

More than one in three young people say that the pandemic has made life more difficult, a recent survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Blue Cross noted. 

More drinking at home and mental health problems contribute to many young people dreading this year’s Christmas.

The Ministry of Health says that it is worrying that so many young people are struggling with mental health problems.

“The pandemic and strict infection control measures have led to extra strain for many, and perhaps especially for young people. 

“Young people have sacrificed a lot, and we know that many are lonely and miss being with their friends,” State Secretary Maria Jahrmann Bjerke (H) told NTB.

Last week, the government proposed an extra NOK 160 million of funding for vulnerable groups, which, among other things, will help to take care of students’ mental health. 

This week, the health authorities sent out a survey to 55,000 Norwegians around the country to map how the pandemic has affected their psyche.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today

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