Children and young people's mental health

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of intense physical and psychological development influenced not only by individual factors but also by the environment and culture. Particularly, a child's family plays a significant role in their growth and development.

Additionally, schools and other activities are crucial developmental environments that can support and promote good mental health.

The development during childhood and adolescence is often individualized, yet different age stages have specific typical characteristics. When identifying mental health symptoms and disorders in children and adolescents, significant changes related to different age stages should be considered, including variations in prevalence rates and typical onset ages of disorders.

What?

The environments in which children and young people grow significantly influence their mental health. Positive mental health is increasingly seen as an important dimension of mental health. The Finnish school health survey includes a measure for positive mental health WEMBS. Positive mental health and perceived loneliness are examples of indicators of mental health strategy.

Why?

Good mental health in children and young people is supported when society
•   creates secure conditions for family-life and in other formative environments also during societal change,
•   ensures that each child has equal opportunities for self-esteem, mental health skills, learning and feelings of achievements,
•   gives each child equal opportunities for engaging in safe recreational activities which promotes their development,
•   safeguards the rights of vulnerable children and young people and those in challenging life circumstances
•   reduces childhood poverty in families
•   reduces social exclusion of children and young people.
What?
- Identifying the professionals, networks, people and communities for whom mental health competence and skill development would be particularly useful and increase competence in these groups.
- This is particularly important for professional groups who are in close interaction with others.
- Increasing mental health literacy and skills in early childhood education, in schools and educational institutions, and through specific projects and curriculum development.
- Increasing mental health competencies and skills in services for older adults via additional training and programmes. Older adults will be included in these actions making use of their existing resources and experience.
Why?
- By enhancing competencies, we can help people earlier, promote mental wellbeing and prevent mental health disorders.
- Increasing mental health skills of people we can build resilience and better mental wellbeing.
How?
- 2021-2023 state funded projects increased the competencies and skills of people in various ways around Finland with 630 different courses and workshops for 22 800 people.
- 2023 Ministry of Health and welfare published Mental health, substance use and addiction content in education for sectors working in direct interactions -Recommendations for strengthening competence. These recommendations include minimum contents of competence related to mental health, substance use and addiction. In addition to the competence objectives, the minimum contents provide examples of contents and practical tips for teaching.
What?

LGBTQ+ Youth refers to adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersexual, asexual or other sexual or gender minorities (SGM) and those whose sexual orientation or gender identity varies.

Why?

Based on the bi-annual Finnish School Health Promotion Study and broad international research, it is known that there are significant differences in health and well-being between youth belonging to sexual and gender minorities and cis and heterosexual youth. The well-being and health of SGM youth is weaker than in control groups. Mental health problems, for example, are common among young people belonging to these minorities. This is why it is necessary to focus especially on promoting the well-being and health of SGM Youth.

How?

Promoting Resource-Oriented approach to gender-diversity in School health care
The goal of the project is to develop primary health care services for youth belonging to gender minorities
- by strengthening the expertise of professionals and a promoting resource-oriented approach to gender-diversity by education
- by gathering information about the resources of children, adolescents and young adults belonging to gender minorities and the availability of support into a research publication
- by providing information about gender-diversity for professionals (thl.fi/sateenkaaritieto)
- by streamlining support and treatment service paths for children and young people belonging to gender minorities.
Further information

Gendered Differences in Experiences of Bullying and Mental Health Among Transgender and Cisgender Youth

Sexual and Gender Minorities Among the Foreign-Origin Populations in Finland : An intersectional analysis

Aino Jehkoi
Senior Planning Officer
[email protected]