Emerging adults experience lacking support for their mental health

In the Nordics, 70 percent of all emerging adults aged 18-29 have experienced mental health issues at some point, while 5 out of 10 choose not to seek help due to stigma. Among those who do seek help, a majority (65%) feel that the support they receive is of poor quality, they are misunderstood or not taken seriously. This is highlighted in a new survey, the first of its kind that ensures representation of emerging adults (18-29)  in Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The survey was conducted by Perspetivo on behalf of Reach for Change, The Inner Foundation, and the Tim Bergling Foundation. 

“There are nearly four million young adults in the Nordic region. A group navigating the unique challenges and vulnerabilities that come with the transition from youth to adult in a constantly changing world. Despite this, they are rarely recognized as a target group in their own right and often fall through the cracks in current support systems. We are driven to invest in the mental health of young adults, and this report is a first step in making their needs visible, identifying gaps in the support system and driving change. This requires listening to their voices and understanding their unique experiences. For every young adult who does not receive the support they need represents an untapped potential, both for the individual and society. The cost of inaction is simply too high,” says Annika Sten Pärson, co-founder of The Inner Foundation

The new report, focusing on the mental health of emerging  adults in Finland and the Nordics, is part of the Next in Mind initiative founded by Reach for Change, The Inner Foundation, and the Tim Bergling Foundation. The initiative aims to promote and proactively improve the mental well-being of emerging  adults by supporting social entrepreneurs in the Nordic region with innovative solutions, complementing traditional support systems.

“There is a huge potential in strengthening the support system through social entrepreneurs and we are currently supporting 20 of them in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. We need to increase knowledge and opportunities for collaboration between social entrepreneurs and other actors in society to offer support that is adapted to the life phase that young adults are going through and meet them on their terms,” says Sofia Breitholtz, CEO of Reach for Change. 

“Young adults are a diverse target group who, from the age of 18, are often left to navigate a complex life and find the right help. Many fall through the cracks, and the responsibility for their mental health is shared by society as a whole. Supporting them in the transition to adulthood requires more targeted interventions that both safeguard their human dignity and strengthen their capacity to thrive. Strengthening young people's mental health is not only a necessity, but a valuable investment in our common society and future,” says Henrik Szabo, Executive Director of the Tim Bergling Foundation.

Key Insights from the Report:

Many face barriers when seeking help
Half of all emerging adults in the Nordics have never sought help for mental health issues. Among those who do seek help, 4 out of 10 experience long wait times, and 1 av 3 find the cost of care services unaffordable. Additionally, a majority (65%) report that the support they receive is of low quality, lacking understanding or not taken seriously.

Stigma surrounding mental health remains high
Stigma around mental health continues to be a significant barrier to seeking help, with 5 out of 10 people in the Nordics  avoiding help for this reason.

Stress, anxiety, and loneliness are the main causes of mental health issues
Nearly half of those who have felt unwell in the Nordics cite stress related to work or studies as the cause. 3 in 10 attribute their issues to loneliness, and 40% report anxiety and depression as the main factors.

Support from family and friends is viewed as the best solution
Emerging adults in the Nordics report that the best way to receive support is from close family and friends, with 4 out of 10 seeking help primarily from loved ones when they are feeling unwell.

Differences between Nordic-born and non-Nordic-born emerging adults
Non-Nordic-born young adults experience higher levels of stress related to unemployment and discrimination, and are more likely to experience loneliness due to difficulties with social integration. In contrast, Nordic-born individuals are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, often linked to personal and relational events such as trauma, violence, or the loss of a loved one. Cultural differences also affect coping strategies—non-Nordic-born individuals often seek support from friends and social media, while Nordic-born individuals are more likely to turn to professional help, such as psychologists.

Differences between Nordic countries
In Sweden, stress related to work and education is the main challenge, while in Denmark, uncertainty about the future and career choices, as well as the impact of social media, are key factors affecting mental health. In Norway, relational stress, such as conflicts with family and friends, is a significant cause of poor well-being. In Finland, grief and traumatic experiences are particularly prominent, alongside a strong need for support within the educational system.

Perspetivo, on behalf of Next in Mind, conducted a digital survey in June and July 2024 with 1,046 individuals aged 18 to 29 to assess the mental health of young adults in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The survey is the first of its kind, providing a quantitative study of the 18-29 age group in the Nordic region, and is fully representative. Representation is ensured through the following parameters:

Age: Respondents are in the 18-29 age group (approximately 13% of the total population).
Country: 40% of respondents are from Sweden, 20% from Norway, 20% from Denmark, and 20% from Finland.
Foreign background: The proportion of people with a foreign background is 25% in Sweden, 8% in Denmark, 12% in Norway, and 9% in Finland. We aim for this distribution to be reflected among the respondents in each country.

About Next in Mind
Next in Mind is an innovation-driven response to the rising mental health challenges among emerging adults in the Nordics. Co-founded by Reach for Change, The Inner Foundation, and the Tim Bergling Foundation, we empower scalable and impactful solutions in mental wellbeing through a Nordic-wide scaling readiness program and cross-sector ecosystem and advocacy activities.

For more information please contact;
Camilla Svedberg, Head of Communication Reach for Change camilla.svedberg@reachforchange.org, +46 7 37 69 34 98