Young men’s mental ill-health in the Nordics

Mental ill-health is a significant social and public health problem in the Nordic countries. Studies also show that mental health problems have increased in the Nordic countries in recent years, particularly among young people. According to the studies included in this research overview, there are gender differences when it comes to mental ill-health. It is apparent that gender, sexuality and masculinity norms play an important role in how young men manage and experience their mental health. This overview focuses on knowledge about young men’s mental health in relation to current conditions and challenges in education and the workplace in the Nordic countries. The study also highlights knowledge about the impacts of the pandemic on young men’s mental health, where increased unemployment, distance teaching and isolation have risked reinforcing negative spirals in mental well-being.