Continues Nordic efforts to promote young people’s mental health

The Kavli Trust continues its commitment to young people’s mental health. The trust is now extending its support for the project Next in Mind, targeting young adults across the Nordic region.

Author: Hanne Eide Andersen

The foundation has awarded NOK 1.5 million to the second phase of the programme and initiative Next in Mind – Innovations for Improved Mental Health for Emerging Adults.

Next in Mind was established through a collaboration between the organisation Reach for Change and the two foundations The Inner Foundation and the Tim Bergling Foundation. All three partners are based in Sweden, but the programme is aimed at young adults aged 18–29 throughout the Nordic countries.

The overall objective of the programme is to improve mental health among young adults across the Nordic region through innovation, collaboration, and systemic change.

By reducing stigma, increasing access to support, and addressing systemic challenges, the aim is to prevent serious consequences such as social isolation, school dropout, and suicide.

Next in Mind consists of two main components:

• Incubator programme: Twenty social entrepreneurs from across the Nordic region receive access to training, mentoring, and funding to develop and scale innovative solutions aimed at improving mental health among young adults.
• Policy advocacy: The programme actively works with public authorities and partners to strengthen systems and framework conditions that support young people’s mental health.

The Kavli Foundation also supported the first phase of the programme, which was launched in 2024.

A growing challenge

“We are pleased to continue our support for Next in Mind. The programme innovatively combines entrepreneurship and systemic change to improve young people’s mental health,” says Ingrid Paasche, Managing Director of the Kavli Foundation.

Poor mental health among young people is a major global challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 75 per cent of all mental health conditions develop before the age of 24, and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death globally among young adults.

In the Nordic region, the situation is even more serious: suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 15–24.

The importance of collaboration

Paasche emphasises that collaboration is a fundamental principle in the Kavli Foundation’s work to maximise the social impact of the funds it allocates.

“To create change, we need innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and long-term support. We see great value in connecting our resources, expertise, and experience to identify new solutions to the challenges facing young people’s mental health. Together with partners such as Reach for Change, The Inner Foundation, the Tim Bergling Foundation, social entrepreneurs, and other Nordic foundations, we can make a greater difference,” says Paasche.

“The implementation of the first phase of Next in Mind has been very successful, and we are pleased to contribute to the continuation of the programme. We hope that the solutions being developed will provide more young people with the support they need,” Paasche adds.