One in six Norwegian students has suicidal thoughts, new survey shows

This year’s health and well-being survey among Norwegian students shows that 45% struggle mentally and 54% feel lonely, far more than before.

This year’s results from the Students’ Health and Well-being Survey (SHoT) were presented digitally on Monday.

The proportion of those in the survey who stated that they thought about taking their own lives during the last two weeks has almost doubled since 2010. At the time, it was 8%. In 2021, it grew to 15%.

“It is cruel to read this. These are painful numbers,” leader Andreas Trohjell of the Norwegian Student Organization (NSO) said during the presentation.

62,000 students participated

The study was an additional study to SHoT aimed at looking specifically at the effects of the pandemic on students’ everyday lives and well-being. More than 62,000 students have participated in the assessment of their own health.

The proportion of those who say they are struggling with serious mental illness has increased from 32% in 2018 to 45% in 2021.

The proportion of those who say they miss someone to be with, feel left out, or isolated, has increased from 30% in 2018 to 54% in 2021.

Serious issue

In 2018, 79% of students said they had good physical health. Now 68% say the same.

“We have probably never seen such high numbers in any other survey,” area director for mental and physical health, Knut Inge Klepp at the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) noted.

He says students are a relatively resourceful group. However, he also noted that the results from the survey are a signal that must be taken seriously.

“It is very serious feedback from very many young people who have had a very tough year. Mental health is high on my priority list,” Minister Henrik Asheim (H) told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]