Within the past 20 years there has been a deterioration of the mental health of Danes. Today, one in every five adults has psychological symptoms corresponding to the criteria for one or more mental illnesses.
We know that approximately one in every three girls and one in every five boys in secondary school classes have at least one psychological symptom daily in the form of depressed mood, nervousness or dyssomnia.
At the same time, we know that stress, anxiety and depression annually send thousands of adolescents and adults out of the education system and the labour market with serious consequences for the economy and quality of life.
National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) monitors the development of children’s, adolescents’ and adults’ mental health, and researches the relationship between mental health and consequences for physical health, social relations, labour market affiliation and the economy. We also research the social, cultural and organisational contexts which affect general well-being and the development of mental health problems. At the same time, we transform our knowledge into well-being interventions in schools and youth education as well as research-based advice for authorities and organisations.