Response to interpellation 2023/24:332 on the mental health of young men
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
KD argues that increased knowledge about norms of masculinity is a prerequisite for meeting boys' needs 1. KD emphasizes that men often experience emotional loneliness and that one must create a climate of conversation where it is okay to seek help. KD argues that they have increased support for child and adolescent psychiatry 2, added a sector contribution to health and medical care, and increased state grants to municipalities and regions 2. KD believes that factors such as sleep, physical activity, and screen use should be analyzed 3. S argues that equality means equal conditions for both girls and boys 4. S emphasizes that civil society has a crucial role 5. S expresses concern that cuts in municipalities and regions may affect operations 5. S argues that resources for welfare are crucial and that support for young people with mental ill-health must be available now 4. S believes that when municipalities and regions cut back, difficulties arise that cannot be made up for 4.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)
Madam Speaker! Eva Lindh has asked me how I and the government will ensure that knowledge increases regarding how we can facilitate for young men to seek help as well as promote young men's mental health. Eva Lindh has also asked me which measures I see as prioritized to meet the need for measures to give young men opportunities for a better upbringing and future. Eva Lindh has also asked me how I work to reduce the number of suicides among young people. Eva Lindh has finally asked me if I see more opportunities for cooperation regarding mental health in the Nordic countries.
I agree with Eva Lindh's view that we have a shared responsibility to ensure that all children and young people get a good upbringing and opportunities to develop according to their own circumstances. In that work, measures to meet the mental ill-health of children and young people are of great importance, as are measures to reduce inequalities in health.
Increased knowledge about norms of masculinity and men's life conditions is a prerequisite for organizations to be able to meet the different needs of boys and men. It is important that all actors in society, based on their respective roles and responsibilities, create conditions for boys and men to seek help at an early stage and gain access to effective interventions to reduce the risk of mental suffering for individuals as well as for people in their vicinity. This can contribute to increased equality and better health for everyone. The Government is implementing several initiatives to support the actors involved in that work and to create conditions for good health in the child and youth group, not least for boys and men. This includes, among other things, national research initiatives, support for civil society organizations, and targeted agency mandates. One example is the mandate that the Agency for Youth and Civil Society Issues and the Public Health Agency reported during 2023, which contains a mapping of young people's mental health. In the mapping, important knowledge about unequal living conditions, gender differences, and equality among young people is highlighted. The results from the mapping constitute an important basis for support for various actors in the continued development of interventions within the area.
Regarding the question of measures to give young men opportunities for a better upbringing and future, the government has initiated a large number of measures.
The Government has given the National Board of Health and Welfare, together with a number of relevant authorities, a mandate to develop a national health program for children and young people up to 20 years of age. The program shall contribute to promoting the health and development of children and young people, preventing ill health, and creating conditions for improved health monitoring.
It is also about, among other things, the introduction of a leisure card that is intended to give children and young people an active and meaningful leisure time in community with others through increased access to sports, culture, outdoor life and other association life, investments in sports activities in vulnerable areas and measures to prevent and counteract involuntary loneliness, among other things through the development of a national strategy.
Regarding the suicide prevention work, several measures are also being implemented. The State and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) have entered into an agreement in the area of mental health and suicide prevention that covers just over 1.6 billion SEK for 2024 and which contains targeted funds to develop the suicide prevention work. Furthermore, the Suicide Analysis Inquiry (S 2023:01) has been tasked, among other things, to analyze and propose how a national responsibility for broad incident analyses, so-called accident investigation boards, after suicide can be designed.
From the Tidö Agreement, which is an agreement between Sverigedemokraterna, Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna and Liberalerna, it appears that a new national strategy in the area of mental health and suicide prevention shall be developed after the reporting of agency mandates on 1 September 2023 and that a national coordinator with a collective responsibility for the suicide prevention work shall be appointed.
These efforts will become important for the continued development of the work within the area.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that I and the government place great value on the Nordic cooperation and look forward to further developing this, not least through Sweden's chairmanship in the Nordic Council 2024. Within the framework of the chairmanship, we will, among other things, organize a public health conference with a focus on good and equal health.
Eva Lindh (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for Social Affairs for the thorough answer. It is truly appreciated.
For me, equality is about giving both girls and boys such equal conditions to develop and have the best life possible. When we talk about equality, it is important to talk about both girls and boys. That is why it feels really good that we can have this discussion and debate here today.
To get there, we must learn more. We must look at how children and young people perceive their situation and what we need to do to support them in the best way. Mental illness among young people is a growing societal problem and has been for some time.
There are gender differences when it comes to mental ill-health among young people. It is primarily about that boys and men - not just young people - have more difficulty talking about feelings but also seeking help. This ultimately means that one goes and carries one's own feelings, such as grief, anxiety and depression, all alone. It can be devastating for mental health.
The non-profit organization Under Kevlaret has been working for several years to support boys and young men in facing their emotions. A few years ago, they published the report Hellre Tabasco än känslor, which truly shows how difficult it can be. They had interviewed 1,000 boys. In those interviews, one in three boys says that he prevents himself from showing emotions so as not to appear weak. A quarter say that they often feel anxiety, worry, sadness, and depression. The report is named what the boys also say – they would rather drink Tabasco than cry in front of their male friends. It gives a clear picture of what the need looks like and what we need to do.
These feelings can also lead to an increased risk of suicide attempts. It feels harsh to say it, but that is actually how it is; there are many men who try to take their own lives. In Sweden, studies have noted boys' difficulties in managing school. It is believed that they are connected. Substance abuse, gambling, and sleep difficulties are also aspects that negatively affect young men's mental health.
The research overview that the Nordic Council of Ministers has conducted summarizes the state of knowledge we have today. It is said that it is very difficult and that there are great challenges: We do not have sufficient gathered knowledge, and we need to coordinate the efforts. We must also facilitate for boys and young men to seek help when they need it. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all children receive a good upbringing and opportunities to develop according to their own circumstances. The differences in health are also increasing. It is incredibly important to take this with you. There are differences between boys and girls, but other things also play a role. Unfortunately, unequal health is increasing, and we politicians need to take responsibility for that.
Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank Eva Lindh for this opportunity to specifically highlight the situation of men and boys in this context. We often – and should have – a discussion about how young girls are doing. They are having a very difficult time. We know that many have increasing levels of worry, anxiety, and stress linked to many factors. There are different things in life that affect in different ways. But we know at the same time that men and boys choose to take their lives to a greater extent; one ends up in a situation where one sees no other way out. It is a situation that no one should have to end up in. Therefore, I appreciate that we take the opportunity to discuss this situation specifically.
I think there are some things that are particularly noteworthy regarding men. Eva Lindh speaks about the possibility of, together with others in different situations, talking about life and these things. It seems to be harder for men. It seems to be the case that men have slightly less access to this than women do. In the national public health study from 2022, I believe it was, it appeared clearly that men experience greater emotional loneliness than women; one experiences that one does not have anyone to confide in or talk to when it comes to issues that in different ways concern emotional life.
We also know this when we take different initiatives to meet feelings of loneliness in Sweden. It is harder to reach men in these contexts. We need to reflect on that. How can we and civil society organize ourselves? How can our authorities and others reflect on how we also reach the men? We do that, of course, but there is obviously more to be done.
I am also thinking about the very interesting and worrying study that came from Kairos Future, where they measure how people view their own lives. There, the group in society that had the greatest feelings of meaninglessness in relation to their own lives were young men. It had increased very significantly in the population as a whole and not least for that group. It is truly something to reflect on.
Now we have a number of initiatives and, not least, a strategy for increased mental health. My view is that we must mobilize the entire society to a much greater extent in these issues, authorities in a broad sense, municipalities and regions of course, and not just see it as a healthcare mandate. It is important.
There we shall make efforts to shorten times and other things. But as Eva Lindh also points out, it is a matter of us getting a climate for conversation for both women and men where we can talk about these things. It is a matter of both women and men seeing that they have an opportunity and that it is completely okay to seek help when they are not doing well. We obviously need to work more on that. I am glad that we are having this discussion.
Relatively soon we will receive a report from the investigation on the accident commission regarding suicide. There we have a hope that we will make better analyses of those situations. We are not to do this to point fingers, but to learn more about how we can further work to create a safety net and prevent situations. There, naturally, the differences and dimensions regarding both men and women must be included.
Eva Lindh (S)
Madam Speaker! I also want to emphasize that we do not forget the mental health of young girls. It is significant and truly worthy of attention. But that help is not sought for the young boys who are suffering is something that we need to address specifically.
I have also seen that. I have worked as a school counselor and social secretary for many years. It is not about comparing. We must truly take the young people who suffer from mental ill-health seriously and make major efforts for them. But I have also seen that it is generally easier for girls to seek help.
It may have gone a bit further for those boys who do eventually do it. They also do not talk with their friends. They would rather drink Tabasco than talk about feelings or cry in front of a friend. We need to consider this particularly. We must tackle the entire decisive issue of mental ill-health among our young people. It is truly concerning.
I also want to say something about the feeling of loneliness. Above all, it has been seen clearly when looking at studies on the health of the elderly. The feeling of loneliness plays a role not only for mental health but also for physical health. It is also like that for all of us. A feeling of loneliness does not always have to mean that one is alone, but it is about the feeling of loneliness.
It is very good with the national research initiative that the government is taking. One should also support civil society organizations. They have a crucial and important role. I have, for example, followed the interest Locker Room Talk, which really works in a good way and with methods that make a difference.
It is about being present in the boys' everyday lives. It is the boys that one primarily addresses. One must be present in their everyday lives where they are at their sports practice. It is very crucial, and it is a long-term effort.
What civil society organizations do is important. But I cannot help but still feel a concern. We have a political distinction. I know that the Christian Democrats often speak about that we should value this, and that the resources for the welfare state are important.
I see how it looks in municipalities and regions that would have the opportunity to make more interventions. The targeted interventions are good. It is good that it is being highlighted. But there must be a baseline to meet young people's mental ill-health.
If the cuts in the municipalities and regions also affect the activities that are supposed to exist. If one cannot manage what is already in their mandate, perhaps one cannot work more proactively for both girls and boys so that young people truly get the support they need.
I am grateful for the answer. There is a great deal that I can agree with. But I feel great concern for the fundamental basis of how the welfare system will manage its mission moving forward, and also that it will affect just this group.
Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)
Madam Speaker! Thank you, Eva Lindh, for this contribution! It was interesting to hear about the reports that Eva Lindh refers to.
First to the question of welfare. It is extremely important that we manage to maintain a good and functioning welfare. It is not least the inflation that is haunting municipalities and regions. It is a matter of combating it and ensuring that we do wise things and the right things. It is clear that we follow the developments in this and see the needs that exist. There, the resource question is also important.
When it comes to, for example, child and adolescent psychiatry, we have increased the support to increase the accessibility to child and adolescent psychiatry from 380 million with the previous government to 530 million, which was one of my first decisions. We are now maintaining that.
It is the same thing with the agreement with SKR. It remains at the same levels as before. In addition, we have added, for example, a sector contribution to health and medical care and increased state grants to municipalities and regions. But we obviously need to follow how it develops moving forward.
It is important that we pay some special attention to the situation of men and boys. Therefore, I also appreciate this exchange. The image in society often pulls in another direction. That is partly because men and boys do not air these types of thoughts in the same way. Therefore, the light is not always shed on that question in the way it should be, as Eva Lindh points out.
It is something for us to take with us. It is a matter of us developing our methods and ensuring that we have those glasses on when we design reforms in the area. We look forward to being able to reach both girls and boys.
Eva Lindh mentions the school. There are some concerns there. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that some of the ways the curricula are designed may to a certain extent have disadvantaged boys. There is, in any case, a number who claim this. One has moved from factual knowledge to another approach in the evaluation of knowledge. It is something that we are now reviewing. Some changes have already been made. Hopefully, this can contribute to reducing the impact of those types of things in the school.
We look forward to including those aspects when we work on the national strategy for mental health and suicide prevention. But it is also a matter of ensuring that the issue is visible in different contexts and not least when it concerns the suicide prevention work.
Eva Lindh (S)
Madam Speaker! Resources for welfare are truly crucial. But sometimes it sounds as if the government is saying that it is only a temporary slump, and even if it were only a temporary slump, the time is now for these young people. This incredibly important time in their lives will not come back. The support for children and young adults who have problems with mental health must exist now, not in the future or in a few years.
When municipalities and regions now actually scale back, for that is how it looks in reality, difficulties arise that cannot be made up for later. My great concern is therefore that it will be tough years ahead regardless of what happens. I worry for all the young people who have mental ill-health. We should give them all the support that they need.
Let me just say - and I hope the Minister does not see this as a threat but as a promise - that I will continue to follow the issue. I am passionate about this. I also think that we should follow this together, as I wrote in my interpellation, because we can learn a lot together in the Nordic region. We have equivalent conditions and can learn from each other.
Equality is important, that there are good conditions for both girls and boys. Therefore, I thank you for the debate, and I also thank you for the detailed answer. We may see each other here again in a follow-up debate in the future to see what happens. I really hope that there will be measures for the boys as well.
Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)
Madam Speaker! It can never be a threat that members of the Riksdag are engaged in people's mental health and the challenges that mental ill-health can bring in life. I see it as an extraordinarily good promise. The more people who are engaged in these issues, the better it is for society as a whole.
We are, of course, following the question of resources. I have mentioned that we continue to maintain the increased investment we are making in child and adolescent psychiatry. We are working to strengthen the sense of community for people, so that fewer will have to experience the loneliness that can be an underlying cause of why they feel unwell.
Of course, we need to ensure that care becomes accessible and reaches people when they seek it, but we must also work with factors that affect this. It is about the fact that young people sleep too little, have too little physical activity, and spend a very large amount of time on unstructured but time-consuming screen use. This is also something we need to consider and analyze. Added to this is also school. There are many factors that we need to discuss and consider how they affect boys and girls respectively.
I myself had many such conversations at the OECD's health ministers' meeting this week, where we spoke a lot about this. Many countries are experiencing increasing mental ill-health – both in that people are seeking more help and that they de facto feel worse in different ways. There, we need to help each other between countries, not least the Nordic countries, which do resemble each other in much. We have similar challenges in our health systems. There we can, just as Eva Lindh points out, benefit more from each other and see who is doing things that make us succeed. For it is as Eva Lindh says: We do not really have the time.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.