Child Friendly Models That Work Series (part 3)

Nordic countries deliver comprehensive mental health care to all children and families, regardless of income or background. Early intervention is prioritized through well-funded public health systems and proactive social services. Examples like child-parent psychotherapy in Sweden and Norway show measurable improvements in well-being for both children and families. Structured early childhood programs—including home visits, parental coaching, and developmental monitoring in a child’s first 1000 days—build strong foundations for lifelong health.

Free, high-quality preschool and kindergartens focus on play and social skills, while schools delay academic pressure to favor outdoor exploration and emotional development. Generous parental leave alongside subsidized childcare, flexible work schedules, and direct family support helps parents provide stable, nurturing environments and reduce stress. Public trust and community inclusion mean children routinely play outdoors, participate in group activities, and develop confidence and resilience. Outdoor play is a cultural norm, supported by strong investment in parks and recreation, which boosts physical and mental health. Nordic youth also shape policy through workshops and consultative processes focused on their mental well-being.

In contrast, American children and youth face a major mental health crisis, sharply affecting happiness and well-being. In 2023, nearly 1 in 3 youth ages 12 to 17 had a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problem—with depression and anxiety rising fastest among children in poverty. Poverty increases risk: children in poor families are more than twice as likely to have a mental or behavioral disorder than their affluent peers.

Chronic stress from food insecurity, unstable housing, family difficulties, and violence disrupts healthy brain development and heightens the risk of depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues. Many affected youths end up in the justice system, with America’s prison recidivism rate remaining at 80% at 9 years for two decades.

Over 54% of U.S. youth needing mental health care—especially those from low-income, minority, and rural families—struggle to access services due to insurance gaps, high costs, provider shortages, and stigma. Schools, which are main support centers, often lack adequate resources and mental health professionals. This results in long waitlists and many untreated children. Overall, about 20% of U.S. youth experience a diagnosable mental disorder, and depression, anxiety, and suicide rates have risen dramatically since 2010—especially for adolescent girls. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents is about 49.5%, with 22.2% experiencing severe impairment (NIMH statistics).

Suicide has been a top-five cause of death for 12-year-olds for ten years, and two thirds of youth in Juvenile Justice suffer from a diagnosable mental illness; about half of them are affected by multiple, severe, chronic conditions. Without support, poor children are more likely to fall behind in school, drop out, experience lifelong health problems, and remain economically disadvantaged. Racial and ethnic minority youth—overrepresented among the poor—are even less likely to receive care, worsening disparities.

By comparison, Nordic nations report lower rates of youth mental health issues (12–15%), though higher rates of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) do affect up to 10–21% of the population. Among children and adolescents, SAD rates are slightly lower than adults, with higher risk for females and younger youth. Only 2–5% of U.S. youth experience SAD, due to less exposure to polar darkness. Nordic countries consistently rank high for child mental health outcomes.

Youth incarceration rates highlight another stark difference. The U.S. youth incarceration rate is about 114 per 100,000, with Black and Native youth often exceeding 100–130 per 100,000. This imposes major costs for public safety and taxpayers. An additional 2,400 youth under 18 are held in adult jails and prisons annually. Many youths are institutionalized for minor offenses and status offenses, with about 45% considered eligible for safe release. The U.S. rate is more than twice the global average and far exceeds other NATO countries, despite having 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the prison/jail population.

In Nordic nations:

• Norway: Only 77 youth under 18 were incarcerated in 2019, representing 0.1–0.2% of the total prison population.

• Sweden & Finland: Juveniles comprise 0.3% of the prison population (vs. 7% in the US).

• Nordic youth incarceration rates are typically under 3–5 per 100,000, with most young offenders diverted to non-custodial measures like social services and community rehabilitation.

• The age of criminal responsibility is 15, and children younger than this cannot be incarcerated.

The U.S. incarcerates over 33 times more children and youth than Nordic nations—a reflection of how we value children and childhood.