Swedes More Familiar with Cinnamon Bun Day Than World Mental Health Day, Survey Shows
A survey reveals Swedes widely recognize Cinnamon Bun Day but show limited awareness of World Mental Health Day, highlighting challenges in mental health engagement.
- • Almost 90% of Swedes know about Kanelbullens dag, but only 30% know about World Mental Health Day.
- • 39% of respondents had never heard of World Mental Health Day, emphasizing low mental health awareness.
- • Spliteven stresses the need for societal engagement on mental health beyond healthcare circles.
- • Rising nicotine pouch use among youth in Sweden and Åland noted in a separate health survey.
Key details
A recent survey conducted by SIFOexpress for the Spliteven Insamlingsstiftelsen highlights a significant disparity in public awareness between two notable observances in Sweden. According to the survey of 1,000 Swedes aged 19 to 84, almost 90% recognize Kanelbullens dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) celebrated on October 4, while only 30% are aware of Världsdagen för psykisk hälsa (World Mental Health Day) on October 10. Approximately 39% of respondents had never heard of World Mental Health Day, underscoring a substantial 300% difference in recognition levels.
Lilas Ali, a psychiatrist and board member of Spliteven, expressed concern about the lack of societal engagement with mental health issues, stating, "These significant differences show that there is still a long way to go before mental health becomes a deeply engaging societal issue." Spliteven emphasizes that mental health challenges should be viewed not only as healthcare matters but as community-wide concerns, especially among youth.
Anders Ericsson, chairman of Spliteven, stressed the importance of collective efforts on October 10 to elevate mental health awareness across Sweden. This gap in awareness contrasts with the cultural popularity of Kanelbullens dag, a day cherished nationwide.
Moreover, separate findings from the "Hälsa i skolan" survey reveal an increasing usage of nicotine pouches among youths in Sweden and Åland, signaling shifting health behaviors among school-aged populations. This emerging trend raises public health considerations in the context of youth wellness.
Together, these surveys highlight ongoing challenges in promoting mental health awareness alongside changing lifestyle habits among Swedish youth.