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ECO 12: Digital Health and Mental Health - The Norwegian Experience

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ECO 12: Digital Health and Mental Health - The Norwegian Experience

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Another video about mental health in Norway.

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ECO 12: Digital Health and Mental Health - The Norwegian Experience

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Mental Ill-Health In Norway- Prevalence and Treatment

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Mental Ill-Health In Norway- Prevalence and Treatment

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A video depicting mental health in Norway

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Mental ill-health in Norway - Prevalence and Available Treatment

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US surgeon general testifies about pandemic's impact on youth mental health

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This map shows the mental health support in Norway, compared to the other European Countries.

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Map from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6963-11-68 showing the suicide per in habitants 

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The map here, shows suicide from 1990 to 2006. As you can see, men have a higher suicide rate.

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The link above talks about the Borgen Project, a project about mental health.

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Mental health is a disease that affects an estimated 792 million people worldwide. Yet when people live in poverty and lack the money to attain basic needs, mental health often falls on the back burner. This is especially true in Norway. Though the country has a low poverty rate coupled with substantial efforts to improve access to and quality of mental health care, about half of all people in Norway experience a mental health disorder at some point in their life, and these numbers are rising in the wake of COVID-19.

Health Care in Norway

Norway offers universal health care coverage to all of its citizens and extends this service to all citizens from the European Union. It receives funding through general taxes and payroll contributions by employees, and provides a variety of services, with mental health being one of them. In 1956, this system, called the National Insurance Scheme, became a right for all Norway citizens. Though it ensures access to local municipalities and general practitioners, patients that require long-term or outpatient care must pay a fraction of it, making services unattainable for some poorer citizens.

How Does Economic Status Influence Mental Health?

Mental health problems can arise in anyone, regardless of age, socioeconomic status or demographic group. The ways these disorders affect the individual vary. However, people in poverty are more susceptible, as a large factor fueling these disorders is one's life situation. In fact, life factors like disability, unemployment, sicknesses and others drive common mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

A study that the International Journal for Equity in Health published found "the prevalence of psychological distress increasing by decreasing social status," and noted economic problems as a major factor of it. Life factors, like living in poverty, have proven to increase levels of mental health disorders, but so do perceived living situations. Another study, published in Science Direct, investigated Norwegian adolescents' view of living status. It found that if people felt they were impoverished or living in a low-income household, they had higher instances of mental health disorders. This perception, it found, might even be more influential than actual living conditions.

Impact of Mental Health Disorders on Norwegians

Estimates have determined that nearly 15% of children worldwide suffer from a mental health disorder. In 2018, 16.5% of Norwegians 15 to 24 years old reported experiencing "severe psychological distress." Typically, mental disorders manifest as early as 14 years of age, with personality and anxiety disorders developing as early as 11 years old. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said that "without early and effective treatment and inclusion in society, young people with mental disorders risk becoming lifetime users of adult mental health services." On top of this, instances of mental illness in children and young adults are particularly concerning since they lead to poorer education and difficulty transitioning into the workplace. Consequently, affected individuals earn lower incomes as adults if not treated properly at a young age.

Concerningly, in the last decade, Norway experienced an increase in permanent poverty among children, a factor that directly relates to mental health. Oslo, the country's capital, has notable disparities in income throughout the city's districts. This impacts mental health in Norway since living in city districts with high-income inequality, like in much of Oslo, lowers the probability of accessing mental health services, according to a study by Jon Finnvold of Oslo Metropolitan University. The study also highlighted that kids living in lower-income households experienced a higher risk of behavioral, or mental, problems.

What is Norway Doing to Improve Mental Health Services?

Notably, in the past few decades, there has been substantial investment in mental health services in Norway. Between 1999 and 2008, it invested NOK 6.3 billion ($735, 739, 200) into the Escalation Plan for Mental Health. This investment lowered suicide rates and helped improve services already provided by municipalities and increased access to children.

However, there are still discrepancies in access to care for mental health in Norway, largely based on socioeconomic status. Any problems Norway faced with its mental health care system only became more pronounced during the pandemic: like all countries, it saw an increase in patients requesting mental health assistance, especially in early 2020, the onset of the pandemic. A lot of these increases, as scientists speculate in a study that VOX EU published, come from the effects of lockdown and movement restrictions. Scientists are looking to policymakers, as they enforced said lockdowns, and draw on this evidence to show the harm isolation has on people's overall mental health.

In no way do mental health problems only affect Norway; they also affect the entire world without discrimination, planting its seeds in the minds of the richest and the poorest of citizens belonging to any race, ethnicity or income level. Yet, people with lower incomes and of a minority ethnicity are particularly vulnerable to feeling the weight of these illnesses, as they have less access to services.

In Norway, the government's universal health care system calls for equal access to all health services, including mental health, but it is just not the case. Those needing more comprehensive care still must pay a portion out of pocket, a bill that not everyone can afford to pay. Oslo specifically is home to unequal access, a direct result of the stark income discrepancies throughout the city. Norway has made substantial progress through mental health investment, but there is always a need to reach more people, to focus on the vulnerable populations to ensure they have the same opportunity for care as everyone else. There are still people not receiving care, as costs remain a barrier for those needing extensive treatment.

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Mental Health in Norway - The Borgen Project

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Mental health is a disease that affects an estimated 792 million people worldwide. Yet when people live in poverty and lack the money to attain basic needs, mental health often falls on the back burner. This is especially true in Norway.

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United for Global Mental Health is a site that has a whole page devoted to Norway's mental health.

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Norway | United for Global Mental Health

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In 2019 Norway assigned 1.03% of gross national income (GNI) in official development assistance...

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This site is in Norwegian site that helps people with their mental health. However, it is hard to read unless you use Google Translate or read Norwegian. It is a good website though.

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Helsenorge har kvalitetssikret informasjon om helse, sykdom og rettigheter, og digitale tjenester som bytt fastlege, e-resepter og kjernejournal.

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By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans seeking treatment for anxiety and depression has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating what a leading medical association terms a "mental health tsunami."

That's the key takeaway from a nationwide survey of psychologists by the American Psychological Association (APA).

"[The findings] highlight what we have been saying since the early days of the pandemic - we are facing a mental health tsunami," said Arthur Evans Jr., the association's CEO. "We need to continue to support treatment via telehealth, and we must invest in screening, prevention, and innovative interventions to expand access to various levels of care."

In all, 84% of respondents who treat anxiety orders and 72% of those who treat depression reported an increase in demand for treatment this year, compared with 2020 rates of 74% and 60%, respectively.

The survey also found a stepped-up demand this year for help with other mental health issues, including sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and substance-related and addictive disorders.

Compared to last year, nearly twice as many respondents (62%) said they had received more referrals this year than last, and 68% of those with a waitlist said it had grown longer since the start of the pandemic.

And psychologists are struggling to meet the needs. Forty-one percent said they were unable to meet the demand for treatment, up from 30% last year. The percentage who said they felt burned out also rose, to 46% from 41% last year.

The new survey included more than 1,100 psychologists and was conducted between Aug. 30 and Sept. 17.

"As more people seek treatment for mental health conditions, the demands on psychological practitioners have increased," Evans said in an association news release. "Like many other health care providers, psychologists are feeling the pressure."

Many psychologists have switched to telehealth, and 96% continue to provide at least some services remotely, the survey found.

In 2021, only 4% have resumed seeing patients only in person, but 50% have adopted a hybrid approach of seeing some patients in person and some remotely, suggesting a slow progression back to the office, according to the APA.

In coping with the increased demands, 77% of respondents said they were maintaining a positive work-life balance, up from 66% last year. Sixty-four percent said they practiced self-care, compared to 55% last year.

SOURCE: American Psychological Association, news release, Oct. 19, 2021

Copyright © 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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U.S. Psychologists See Big Spike in Demand for Mental Health Care

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By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans seeking treatment for anxiety and depression has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating what a leading medical association terms a "mental health tsunami." That's the key takeaway from a nationwide survey of psychologists by the American Psychological Association (APA).

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

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You Are Not Alone
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Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.

22.8% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021 (57.8 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.

5.5% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2021 (14.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.

16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)

7.6% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2021 (19.4 million people)

Annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults, by demographic group:

Non-Hispanic Asian: 16.4%

Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 18.1%

Non-Hispanic Black or African American: 21.4%

Hispanic or Latino: 20.7%

Non-Hispanic White: 23.9%

Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native: 26.6%

Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 34.9%

Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 50.2%

Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:

Schizophrenia: <1%

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2%

Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4%

Bipolar Disorder: 2.8%

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6%

Major Depressive Episode: 8.3%

Anxiety Disorders: 19.1%

Mental Health Care Matters
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47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021

65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021

50.6% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016

The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years

Annual treatment rates among U.S. adults with any mental illness, by demographic group:

Non-Hispanic Asian: 25.4%

Hispanic or Latino: 36.1%

Non-Hispanic Black or African American: 39.4%

Non-Hispanic White: 52.4%

Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 52.2%

Male: 40%

Female: 51.7%

Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 55.6%

10.6% of U.S. adults with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2021

11.9% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2021

160 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area

The Ripple Effect Of Mental Illness
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Having a mental illness can make it challenging to live everyday life and maintain recovery. Beyond the individual, these challenges ripple out through our families, our communities, and our world.

PERSON

People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions.

33.5% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2021 (19.4 million individuals)

The rate of unemployment is higher among U.S. adults who have mental illness (7.4%) compared to those who do not (4.6%)

High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers

Students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade.

FAMILY

At least 8.4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue

Caregivers of adults with mental or emotional health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care

COMMUNITY

21.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition

Among people in the U.S. under age 18, depressive disorders are the most common cause of hospitalization (after excluding hospitalization relating to pregnancy and birth)

Among people in the U.S. aged 18-44, psychosis spectrum and mood disorders account for nearly 600,000 hospitalizations each year

19.7% of U.S. Veterans experienced a mental illness in 2020 (3.9 million people)

9.6% of Active Component service members in the U.S. military experienced a mental health or substance use condition in 2021

Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year

WORLD

Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity each year

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide

Common Warning Signs Of Mental Illness
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Diagnosing mental illness isn't a straightforward science. We can't test for it the same way we can test blood sugar levels for diabetes. Each condition has its own set of unique symptoms, though symptoms often overlap.

It's Okay To Talk About Suicide
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Thoughts of suicide can be frightening. But by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15-24 in the U.S.

​Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition

90% of people who die by suicide may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition, according to interviews with family, friends and medical professionals (also known as psychological autopsy)

Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, high risk populations:

U.S. Adults: annual average 4.8%

Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 7.4%

Mixed/Multiracial: 8.2%

American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.5%

Youth Populations

Young adults aged 18-25: 13%

High school students: 22%

LGBTQ youth: 45%

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth

79% of people who die by suicide are male

Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their lifetime compared to the general population

2020: Recognizing The Impact
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2020 was a year of challenges, marked by loss and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We must recognize the significant impact of the pandemic on our mental health-and the importance of increasing access to timely and effective care for those who need it.

1 in 15 U.S adults experienced both a substance use disorder and mental illness

12+ million U.S adults had serious thoughts of suicide

1 in 5 U.S adults report that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health

Among people aged 12 and older who drink alcohol, 15% report increased drinking

Among people aged 12 and older who use drugs, 10% report increased use

Among U.S. adults who received mental health services:

26.3 million U.S adults received virtual mental health services in the past year

2020: Youth & Young Adults
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Youth and young adults experienced a unique set of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic-isolation from peers, adapting to virtual learning, and changes to sleep habits and other routines.

We must recognize the significant impact of these experiences on young people's mental health-and the importance of providing the education, care and support they need.

Among U.S. adolescents (aged 12-17):

Among U.S. young adults (aged 18-25):

1 in 5 young people report that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health

1 in 10 people under age 18 experience a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis

Mental Illness And The Criminal Justice System
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People with mental illness deserve help, not handcuffs. Yet people with mental illness are overrepresented in our nation's jails and prisons. We need to reduce criminal justice system involvement and increase investments in mental health care.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

About 2 million times each year, people with serious mental illness are booked into jails.

About 2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness (37% in state and federal prisons and 44% held in local jails).

66% of women in prison reported having a history of mental illness, almost twice the percentage of men in prison.

Nearly one in four people shot and killed by police officers between 2015 and 2020 had a mental health condition.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

An estimated 4,000 people with serious mental illness are held in solitary confinement inside U.S. prisons.

COMMUNITIES

70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition.

Youth in detention are 10 times more likely to suffer from psychosis than youth in the community.

About 50,000 veterans are held in local jails - 55% report experiencing a mental illness.

Among incarcerated people with a mental health condition, non-white individuals are more likely to go to solitary confinement, be injured, and stay longer in jail.

ACCESS TO CARE

About 3 in 5 people (63%) with a history of mental illness do not receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prisons.

Less than half of people (45%) with a history of mental illness receive mental health treatment while held in local jails.

People who have healthcare coverage upon release from incarceration are more likely to engage in services that reduce recidivism.

Mental Health & Access To Care In Rural America
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People from all communities are affected by mental illness, but rural Americans often experience unique barriers to managing their mental health.

Among U.S. adults in nonmetropolitan areas, 2020:

21% experienced mental illness

6% experienced serious mental illness

13% experienced a substance use disorder

5% had serious thoughts of suicide

Access to Treatment is Severely Limited

25+ Million rural Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, where there are too few providers to meet demand

Some Populations Face Additional Challenges

53% of rural adults say the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their mental health

66% of farmers and farmworkers

71% of younger adults aged 18-34

Many rural states have a postpartum depression rate higher than the national average of 13%:

21% in Alabama

22% in Mississippi

23% in Arkansas

Rural youth are at an increased risk of suicide, but highly rural areas have fewer youth suicide prevention services

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Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. It's important to measure how common mental illness is, so we can understand its physical, social and financial impact - and so we can show that no one is alone. These numbers are also powerful tools for raising public awareness, stigma-busting and [...]