Mental Health in Young Women and Men
About the project
We are increasingly receiving reports today that mental health issues are rising among young people. Despite this, we know relatively little about what explains this increase and what can be done to reduce the incidence of mental health problems. Therefore, in this study, we aim to learn more about how symptoms of mental health issues emerge and change over time. With better knowledge, we might be able to reverse the negative trend of declining mental health among young people.
We do not yet know enough about the best ways to study young people's mental health. However, it is clear that mental health is complex and must be examined from different perspectives and with various methods. Therefore, the study is based on extensive data collection. Over two years, data will be collected from a random sample of 3,000 individuals aged 15-29. Data will be collected in different ways and at different frequencies during the study period. The frequency of data collection depends on which of the three groups the participant has been randomly assigned to. In this way, the study provides information on how often data needs to be collected to clarify patterns of symptoms and behaviors and how they develop over time.
The study will be based on data collected from:
- Surveys
- Psychological tests
- Blood samples
- Registers
- "Sensor data" from mobile phones
Purpose
The purpose is to increase the knowledge about the mental health and mental ill-health of young people. We will look at various aspects of well-being, mental health issues, and psychiatric conditions. Additionally, we will examine how well-being is influenced by but also influences other factors, such as lifestyle habits.
The extensive data collection and that participants are followed over time is a strength of the study. It provides good conditions for better understanding why some individuals develop mental health problems and how we can prevent it in the future.
Project financed by: Private donation
