The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified a pre-existing surge in mental health issues among children and young people, highlighting an urgent need for immediate interventions and a comprehensive understanding of the long-term impacts on their well-being.
The pandemic has acted as both a catalyst and a magnifier of concerning trends, including increased rates of mental distress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior. Recognising that these challenges may affect different genders in different ways, the PRISM project aims to bridge significant knowledge gaps regarding youth mental health in the post-pandemic Nordic context through a gender-inclusive lens.
By leveraging insights and existing infrastructures from the covidmentYOUNG and SISU projects, this collaborative initiative aspires to provide a thorough and nuanced understanding of how the pandemic has affected youth vulnerability and resilience across diverse populations. Key focuses of the PRISM project include:
- Incorporating gender perspectives: Every research question will emphasize the importance of gender, aiming to inform tailored prevention strategies that address the unique mental health needs of diverse youth populations.
- Examining long-term mental health trends: The project will analyze gender-specific incidences of mental health conditions—such as anxiety, depression, and self-harm—over an eight-year period following the pandemic, while considering variations across countries and differing socioeconomic contexts.
- Utilizing a bio-ecological framework: PRISM researchers will explore how influences ranging from policy and community dynamics to individual characteristics are associated with mental health outcomes, with a particular focus on identifying factors that promote resilience.
- Addressing vulnerable populations: The project will specifically target youth with pre-existing mental health conditions and non-binary individuals, investigating risk factors exacerbated by the pandemic and protective factors that can mitigate negative effects.
The anticipated findings from the PRISM project will generate actionable recommendations for educators, policymakers, and community leaders, promoting gender-inclusive mental health strategies and foster resilience among young people. This initiative aims to encourage collaboration and innovation in addressing the critical mental health needs of youth, ensuring that their well-being remains a paramount concern across diverse Nordic contexts.