2010-05-03
The mental health situation for Swedish schoolchildren has for the first time been examined via a countrywide, all-encompassing survey. Over 170,000 children in grades 6 and 9 answered questions about their own mental health. The results were recently presented for each municipality and for each participating school.
”The results are a valuable statistical base to support effective preventative interventions in an area that has shown worrying trends towards increased mental ill health among youth. Investing in children and youth is vital for both good public health and positive developments in society,” says Sarah Wamala, director-general for the Swedish National Institute of Public Health (SNIPH).
Data collection was conducted by Statistics Sweden. Children from 3166 schools participated in the survey, which was composed of 42 questions designed to create indicators which, in turn, are based upon the collective result from several of the questions. Five indicators based upon the results from the survey are presented:
- psychosomatic problems (headache, stomach ache)
- depression
- concentration difficulties
- lack of well-being
- problems’ effects on daily life
Information about bullying, the use of tobacco products and alcohol is also presented. The questions which the indicators are based upon can be found in the following sources:
- SDQ: Strength and difficulties questionnaire, a validated instrument in many countries http://sdqinfo.com/
- Kidscreen: an instrument to measure childrens’ quality of life, developed in the EU and available in several languages, with a comprehensive validation completed: http://www.kidscreen.de/
- PSP-scale: a Swedish scale developed to measure psychosomatic problems such as headache and stomach ache.
Comparisons on local level
The results are presented as special diagrams for every school with the 9th grade and for every municipality for grades 6 and 9 (note: only available in Swedish presently). The way in which the results are presented will enable actors on the local level to compare their situation with others. A grading of good, average, or problematic was given to each of the schools or municipalities in relation to the others for each one of the five indicators. These grades were marked in the diagram by different colours – red, yellow, and green. The 25 percent of schools or municipalities that had the best result regarding an indicator are placed in a green zone, while the lowest 25 percent compose the red zone. A yellow zone indicates an average grade. This is the same method that the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) uses in their “open comparisons” of different municipalities in the country. The intention is to stimulate local discussions based on national reference points as well as provide grounds for continued preventative interventions.
Local discussions
”Many schools and municipalities have children with excellent mental health, and it is helpful for others to learn more about what successful factors exist there and identify factors for improved health. For other schools the situation can be more problematic. In these cases, a discussion about the possible causes is required and also about what initiatives can be taken to address these,” says Anna Bessö, departmental head for Child and Eldery Health at the SNIPH.
Many factors affect young peoples’ mental health. In addition to the home- and school environments, access to future possibilities including work and/or continued education is important. A vital aspect in promoting childrens’ and youths’ mental health is helping them deal with complex and changing situations. The school environment can be an important setting for this kind of work. Quality assurance in the school regarding academic performance, as well as application of scientifically-based preventative methods can improve the mental health of youth.
SNIPH will assist municipalities, county councils and regions that ask for help, as well as provide support for the interpretation and analysis of the results from the survey.
All results are available at the SNIPH website (note: only available in Swedish presently). A more detailed report describing the situation at the national level is under preparation during 2010. In that report, differences between ages, sex, country of birth and family situation will be presented.
updated Monday, May 03, 2010
