Danderyd Allocates Significant Funds to Youth Mental Health in 2025 Budget
Danderyd's 2025 budget dedicates 11 million SEK to youth mental health, supplemented by regional initiatives like delayed school start times and services from Underfundarna.
- • Danderyd allocates 11 million SEK for youth mental health initiatives in its 2025 budget.
- • Expansion of Enebyberg school slated for 25 million SEK, though contested by the educational committee.
- • Underfundarna provides psychological services and education focused on stress and mental health.
- • Stockholm pilot study tests later school start times to improve teen sleep and well-being.
Key details
Danderyd municipality has put forward a 2025 budget emphasizing youth mental health through an allocation of 11 million SEK dedicated to combating rising mental health challenges, especially among young girls. The budget proposal also includes 25 million SEK for expanding Enebyberg school, though this has faced criticism from the educational committee, and 15 million SEK set aside as an economic cushion for unforeseen crises. Despite these spending priorities, the tax rate remains stable at 18.25 per hundred earned, reflecting the municipality's improved financial health following a previous financial crisis.
Moderate Party councilor Johanna Hornberger underscored the importance of investing in the mental health of children and youth, citing this as crucial for their future prospects. The budget also allocates funds for other public services such as 51 million SEK for school renovations and 26 million SEK for road repairs.
In parallel to budget allocations, mental health initiatives are being supported by organizations like Underfundarna, which offers psychological services including assessments, treatment, lectures, and courses aimed at increasing public understanding of mental health. Founded in 2019, Underfundarna provides evidence-based programs on stress management and family life, accessible to both individuals and employers. Their initiatives include in-person and digital counseling, emphasizing a practical approach to managing issues such as stress and screen time — topics that are particularly relevant to youth today.
Additionally, in nearby Stockholm County, a pilot project at three high schools is testing later school start times to address the issue that nearly half of teenagers get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep. This collaboration between Stockholm City, the Karolinska Institute, and Region Stockholm aims to explore how later start times may improve adolescent health and well-being.
Together, these efforts reflect a growing recognition at both municipal and regional levels of the importance of addressing youth mental health through targeted funding, innovative programming, and preventative measures.
The combination of financial commitment in Danderyd and practical interventions in Stockholm illustrates a comprehensive approach to youth mental health in Sweden, aimed at fostering healthier, more resilient young populations.