Final report and recordings
The Nordic Summit on Mental Health was helt as a hybrid meeting November 18-19, 2021 with the theme Post-Pandemic Strategies for Mental Health. This theme gave experts, policy makers, researchers and practitioners from the Nordic area the opportunity to discuss recontruction of mental well-being in the Nordic counries after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The summit was organised as a two day event with a plenary session on both days and six parallel sessions on themes adressing different aspects of mental health issues and suicide prevention. 41 speakers and chairs participated in the programme and the summit was joined by participants from In the programme The summit was joined by participants from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK and Åland. 60 participants participantes on site in Helsinki and 170 online.
Recordings from the summit are available below. Subtitles in English will be added to all videos at a later date.
Plenary session Thursday 18 November
Parallel session 1: Economics of mental health actions
Population mental health contributes to employment rate, productivity and improves government finances. In spite of these economic incentives, government spending on mental health promotion and prevention of mental ill health is notoriously low. The session sheds light on the economics of mental health promotion and mental health services, and discusses strategies to translate findings of economics into exit policy and implementation.
Chair: Riitta Aejmeleus, Ministry of Finance, Finland
Parallel session 2. Psychological resilience though participation and inclusion – examples from the Nordic region
Resilience is built on experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on what is important in daily life. What did we need in the middle of it all, and what have we learnt from our experience? From a population approach to the participative, listening to the voices of the pandemic for a mentally resilient post-pandemic world. In this session we discuss Nordic examples on psychological resilience though participation and inclusion.
Chair: Johanna Cresswell-Smith, THL, Finland
Parallel session 3. Post-COVID suicide prevention
The COVID-19 pandemic has had major effects on the mental well-being in the Nordic countries. How has the risk for suicide been effected by the pandemic and what kind of actions are needed now? Is suicide prevention included in the rebuilding strategies in the Nordic countries?
Chair: Sami Pirkola, Tampere University, Finland
Plenary session Friday 19 November
Key note
Ian Manion: Co-creating mental wellbeing with young people
The pandemic has been extremely difficult for children, youth and families around the globe. Mental health concerns of all types have increased, taxing existing resources to meet the needs of young people. Meaningful youth engagement has been shown to be a protective factor for many mental health issues. This presentation will highlight the key elements of meaningful youth engagement and will profile some of the Canadian innovations that have emerged in the area of youth to youth programming. The focus will be on programs co-created with youth to decrease stigma and that take a more holistic and integrated approach to prevention, wellness promotion and service provision. The presenter will blend his extensive clinical, research, and policy experience, along with his own lived experience, to be forward thinking in how to foster resilience in youth.
Parallel session 4. Mental health promotion and prevention among young people in the Nordic countries
Young people in the Nordic countries report an increasing amount of mental health issues and seek treatment for mental health problems. This session focuses on efforts to strengthen the resources of young people and prevent mental illness and discuss different arenas for mental health promotion and prevention.
Chair: Petra Kouvonen, ITLA, Finland
Parallel session 5. Post-pandemic mental health promotion
Mental well-being is strengthened by actions in various societal sectors. In the post-pandemic societies the importance of mental health promotion increases. Research indicates the importance of early interaction, safe schools, green environment and accessible culture. This session will discuss findings and highlight opportunities for mental health action and promotion.
Chair: Dóra Guðmundsdóttir, Directorate of Health, Iceland
Parallel session 6. Reduction of suicide inequalities in the Nordic countries
Suicide mortality is unevenly distributed, both within and between countries. This session focuses on actions to reduce these inequalities in suicides, with a special emphasis on actions needed to prevent a post-covid rise in suicides.
Chair: Outi Ruishalme, MIELI Mental Health Finland