The end of the Covid pandemic has not eased the mental health challenges that young people face, according to findings of a recent study by the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The health agency examined the mental health of youths following the pandemic, a period when mental health issues among youngsters increased, to see if the end of Covid helped to reverse the trend.
According to THL research professor Jaana Suvisaari, the answer was no.
"None of the examined indicators showed a decrease in [mental health] symptoms even close to pre-pandemic levels," she explained.
The situation was particularly poor among eighth- and ninth-grade girls, whose mental health issues worsened after Covid, according to the study's findings.
Among other things, the research involved asking young people whether they experienced generalised anxiety, depression or had eating disorders, feared social situations or had suicidal thoughts.
Nearly 73 percent of the young female respondents said they suffered from at least one mental health issue, with nearly half saying they had more than one mental health condition.
Girls are particularly prone to depression and anxiety, according to the study, with more than half of the girls saying they suffered from social anxiety.
"It can no longer be said that the majority of young people are doing well. Especially girls," Suvisaari said.
Wide-ranging problem
Conversely, there was an observed decline in the number of mental health issues among boys since the Covid era came to an end, but their situation is still worse than it was before the pandemic began.
Around 33 percent of the young male respondents said they suffered from at least one mental health issue.
"That's a big number, too. Something happened during this period that was not good for young people," Suvisaari said, adding that when mental health issues are this common, simply facilitating access to treatment is not enough.
"Solutions to such a wide-ranging problem cannot be dealt with on an individual basis. There are likely broader social factors behind the issue," Suvisaari explained.
On the other hand, there was some improvement noted in the mental wellbeing of transgender youth.
While the group typically has more mental health problems than their peers, after the pandemic, the symptoms of depression and anxiety among members of the group have decreased.
THL's researchers suggested that the gender recognition law that went into force last year — which enabled people to legally change their gender by self-declaration alone — may have contributed to decreasing burdens facing transgender groups.
Suvisaari said that the improvement was an example of how decisions made at the societal level can directly impact the wellbeing of young people.
"Some youths are burdened by climate change and the loss of nature, for example. Societal solutions can help to foster faith in the future and show that young people's situations are being taken seriously," Suvisaari said.
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