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🇫🇮 Finland /Health & Science

Youth's Lack of Future Confidence Rooted in Societal Distrust, Not Just Therapy Needs

From Helsingin Sanomat · (6m ago) Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Finnish youth are experiencing declining confidence in their future, stemming from societal distrust and structural issues, not just mental health concerns.
  • The authors argue that therapy alone cannot address the root causes, which include societal pressures, economic uncertainty, and a perceived lack of agency.
  • They call for systemic changes, focusing on building trust, providing genuine opportunities for participation, and shifting mental health support towards prevention and accessible, presence-based aid.

A compelling opinion piece in Helsingin Sanomat, authored by Reija Paananen and Marja Pinolehto from Diakonia University of Applied Sciences, tackles the complex issue of youth well-being in Finland. Moving beyond the common focus on mental health services, the authors argue that the crisis in youth confidence is deeply rooted in societal structures and a pervasive sense of distrust.

Nuorten tulevaisuususko syntyy viestistä: sinä riität, tekemiselläsi on merkitystä ja me luotamme sinuun.

— Reija Paananen, Marja PinolehtoThe authors state that young people's belief in the future stems from the message that they are enough, their actions matter, and they are trusted.

Their analysis points to a worrying polarization among young Finns, where those who feel confident and capable are increasingly diverging from those who struggle. This gap is fueled by societal factors such as hyper-individualism, intense competition, job market insecurity, and a generally bleak outlook on the future. Crucially, they observe that young people often internalize these systemic problems, perceiving their own struggles as personal failings rather than consequences of broader societal issues. This leads to alienation and challenges the stability of society as a whole.

terapia ei ratkaise niitä juurisyitä, jotka murentavat nuorten tulevaisuususkoa.

— Reija Paananen, Marja PinolehtoThey argue that therapy alone cannot solve the root causes undermining young people's confidence in the future.

From a Finnish perspective, this article resonates with ongoing national discussions about social cohesion, equality, and the future of the welfare state. The authors' call for systemic change—emphasizing genuine participation, building trust, and providing preventative, presence-based support—speaks to a Finnish value of collective responsibility. They argue that fostering future confidence requires adults and policymakers to actively create a future that young people can believe in, one where they feel valued, empowered, and trusted. This perspective highlights that addressing youth well-being requires a societal commitment, not just individual therapeutic interventions.

Hätkähdyttävin havaintomme on nuorten kokema laaja epäluottamus yhteiskunnan taholta. Moni nuori kokee, ettei yhteiskunta luota häneen.

— Reija Paananen, Marja PinolehtoA key observation is the widespread distrust young people feel from society, leading them to believe society doesn't trust them.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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