The Nordic countries have been consistently at the top of the global happiness list for many years. Coupled with the Nordic vision of becoming the most socially sustainable and integrated region by 2030, it seems appropriate to assess and address the varied approaches to achieving this goal. Due to their established welfare states and good public services, the Nordic countries are in a strong position to perform well in the Wellbeing Economy (Birkjær, Gamerdinger, & El-Abd, 2021) – a relatively recently devised “beyond GDP” metric for understanding prosperity. However, a relatively large proportion of the total Nordic population struggle with various issues, including mental health disorders, cognitive skills, discrimination, high suicide rates and low life-satisfaction (Birkjær, Gamerdinger and El-Abd, 2021). In their report, Birkjær et al (2021) note that Finland, Sweden, and Iceland have all taken strides towards integrating Wellbeing Economy principles, whereas Denmark was not engaging with this approach circa 2021, and Norway was only considering certain aspects of it. The Wellbeing Economy approach is concerned with both subjective experiences (e.g. aspects connected to mental health, loneliness, etc.) and objective criteria (longevity, education, air pollution, etc.) from a human perspective.
Health and wellbeing considerations are factors in many aspects of life for young people. They incorporate mental and physical health, as well as a sense of belonging and social life, norms and values. For young people in particular, problems such as loneliness, stress and poor mental health seem to be key challenges (Birkjær, Gamerdinger and El-Abd, 2021) that affect them in various ways. For example, young people with mental health problems are less likely to complete education, and experience major problems in gaining a foothold on the labour market (Sommar, 2016). Mental health problems can also lead to increased mortality, more sick leave and isolation, with low-income families at particular risk of mental health issues arising among children and young people.
The Wellbeing Economy could be relevant for addressing inequalities and prosperity within and between rural and urban regions. Municipal child-welfare services, educational counselling, public healthcare and specialised mental health services for young people, as well as sexual and reproductive health initiatives, are examples of key areas in which policy seeks to address young people’s wellbeing. Currently, competence gaps are recognised as an issue when considering rural LGBTQIA+ persons, and very little is known about the mental wellbeing of young people in Sami areas (Stubberud, Prøitz, & Hamidiasl, 2018).
Several studies indicate that indigenous youth are particularly vulnerable in the Nordic Region – especially in the Arctic. Suicide among indigenous youth has emerged as a serious public health challenge in the Arctic region over the past several decades (Young, Revich, & Soininen, 2015). Young people in Greenland are more vulnerable to socio-economic challenges including violence, alcohol abuse and suicide compared to the other Nordic countries and self-governing territories (Karsberg, 2017).
Gender, location, disabilities, ethnicity and social class, among other factors, are intertwined with the local area’s structural opportunities and young people’s subjective sense of belonging (Eriksen & Andersen, 2021, p. 112). Girls and boys are impacted differently, with girls in the age group 16–22 suffering the most from mental health problems (Sommar, 2016). It is also assumed here that young men and women deal with and express their emotions (particularly difficult emotions) in different ways – women tend to take it out on themselves, whereas men project their problems outwards, often violently (Sommar, 2016).
Addressing health and wellbeing from both a physical and mental health perspective would not only help those who stay in rural areas, but also create a safe and reassuring space for those who would otherwise choose to move away.
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