New Research Project Aims to Improve Mental Health of Young Sami in Norrbotten

A new research initiative led by child and adolescent psychiatry specialist Karin Spetz seeks to understand and enhance the mental health of young Sami individuals in Norrbotten, Sweden. The project is a critical part of Spetz's doctoral work and is funded by Region Norrbotten. It is based on an adapted public health survey "Hälsa på Lika Villkor," designed to reflect the unique health and living conditions of the Sami population.

The research consists of four subprojects: analyzing public health survey data to assess mental health needs, interviewing healthcare providers to identify barriers and opportunities for culturally appropriate care, comparing psychiatric diagnoses and medication between Sami youth and their Swedish peers, and developing a model based on young Sami's perceptions of mental well-being. The project emphasizes collaboration with Sami representatives, adhering to the principle "Nothing about us without us."

This initiative aligns with Sweden’s new national mental health and suicide prevention strategy, presented in January 2025, which highlights the Sami population for the first time. Spetz underscores the importance of broad participation in the survey, stating that individual responses are crucial to improving Sami health. She also notes that mental health problems commonly begin in youth and anticipates increased challenges by 2030, making this research timely and vital.