{"id":16011,"date":"2025-03-14T13:57:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T12:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/headspace.dk\/?page_id=16011"},"modified":"2026-03-12T16:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:34:00","slug":"international-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/headspace.dk\/en\/international-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"International Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

international activities<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The International Team was established in 2024 in response to increasing global interest in headspace Denmark. Through international collaborations, we aim to expand the reach of the non-specialist, volunteer approach to new settings, learn from others to improve our offering within Denmark, and advocate for increased commitment and investment in civil society approaches to youth mental health. Some of our key projects are described in the section below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Projects and International Engagements<\/h2><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Nordic headspace conference 2025 - Turn the tide - New approaches to youth mental health and early intervention<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Five key takeaways from the Nordic headspace conference 2025 - \"Turn the tide: New approaches to youth mental health and early intervention\"<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Nordic<\/p>\n

The Nordic headspace 2025 conference took place in the F\u00e6llessalen at the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg, bringing together 150 participants from 18 countries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The conference gathered practitioners, policymakers and young people from the Nordic region and the rest of the world to share insights, knowledge and experiences to answer the big question: How do we turn the tide on young people's mental wellbeing?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Already the day before, a larger group of participants had effectively kicked off this year's conference by joining a workshop at headspace Denmark and visiting the local headspace center in Lyngby. You can read more about the visit at the bottom of the page.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We would like to thank all participants at Nordic headspace for their commitment, their invaluable input and their tireless determination to improve young people's wellbeing across the globe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are five key takeaways from the conference days.<\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Human connection is crucial in a digital age<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the concern that everyday encounters - small talk at the supermarket, a smile on the bus, a quick \"hi\" in the street - are slowly disappearing as digitalisation and automation increase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As former Icelandic Minister of Social Affairs \u00c1rni P\u00e1ll \u00c1rnason reminded us, these small, informal meetings and conversations are what keep us connected - and their absence affects not only young people's mental health, but all of ours.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a message that resonates strongly with headspace Denmark and clearly did so in the room as well: We must insist on presence, conversation and nurturing relationships in a daily life that can all too easily be reduced to screens, self-service solutions and isolation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prevention often begins with something as simple as someone asking: \"How are you - really?\"<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. prevention and early intervention must play a much bigger role<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

WHO's representative, Dr. Ledia Laz\u00ebri, put numbers to a well-known problem: Only 3.6% of global mental health budgets are allocated to prevention and promotion, even though we know this is where the greatest impact is achieved - both in human and economic terms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She highlighted the services provided by the NGOs present and several others from around the world, including Zimbabwe, Italy and Latvia, where practitioners are already making a tangible difference by meeting young people where they are.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The message to decision-makers was clear: If we want to turn the tide, we also need to redirect the flow of funding. We must invest substantially more in prevention, early intervention and low-threshold services that can catch young people before they can no longer cope - and before the pressure on an already overburdened healthcare system increases even further.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Flexible civil society services work - but struggle with sustainability<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Across international youth services, including our Nordic partners Bergi\u00f0 headspace and Mental Helse, the same experience emerged: When young people are met on their terms, in safe communities and within flexible frameworks it makes a real difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom Guldberg from Mental Helse in Norway shared how activities such as gathering a group of boys in a workshop and having them build something together over 6-8 months can open space for difficult conversations about life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But from Bergi\u00f0 headspace in Iceland, we also heard how they still must fight year after year to secure funding, even though young people are clearly using the service. Several NGOs pointed to the paradox that success does not automatically lead to stability: The more in-demand and effective the services become, the greater the uncertainty if funding remains short-term and project-based.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The key point was that if we want a strong \"ecosystem\" around young people's mental health, we must ensure long-term, predictable conditions for the organizations that make a difference for young people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Young people are experts in their own lives - and must be at the table<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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One of the strongest voices at the conference was L\u00e6rke, an upper secondary school student and representative of headspace Denmark, who set the tone for the day in the F\u00e6llessalen. Her message was clear:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The future must be shaped\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span><\/i>\u00a0young people, not\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span><\/i>\u00a0young people.\"<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together with other young people from Denmark and Norway, she described a youth life full of opportunities but also characterized by demands, expectations and constant self-evaluation - from school, social media, parents and society at large. They called for more in-person communities where you can be yourself without having to be in crisis, and where it feels natural to talk about how you are doing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For headspace Denmark, this is exactly the core: We are the voice of young people - in one-to-one meetings, at events and in our policy work. When young people share their hopes, doubts and dreams, they are not only pointing to problems but also to solutions: More community, more presence and a society that recognizes that life inevitably has both ups and downs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. A growing Nordic and global network - and a shared responsibility<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

On both Thursday and Friday young people, practitioners, researchers, NGOs, foundations and policymakers from Denmark, Norway, Iceland, the rest of Europe - and all the way from the USA and Australia, shared methods, data and concrete experiences across borders and systems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tone was clear: The knowledge and will are there. Now it is about translating them into joint action and a call for braver political prioritizing - locally, nationally and internationally.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As headspace Denmark's founder and patron Poul Nyrup Rasmussen put it in his closing speech:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"We already hold many of the solutions. The task now is to create a sustainable ecosystem around them - a \"welfare society 2.0\" where civil society, research, foundations, municipalities and policymakers work side by side to support young people's mental health.\"<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Workshop and visit to headspace in Lyngby<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned at the beginning, a group of international guests started the conference already on Thursday by taking part in an idea development workshop at headspace Denmark and visiting the local headspace center in Lyngby.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, the center's manager Kasper, youth counsellor Sven Buster, two volunteers and the municipality's representative at the center took the international guests behind the scenes: How do we at headspace Denmark get in touch with young people locally? How do we build trust? And how do we support them going forward - whether that is through bridge-building to other services, contact with their GP or a course of conversations with us?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On behalf of the headspace center in Lyngby, we would like to say a huge thank you for the visit and for the many curious questions from our international guests.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And finally, a big thank you to our partners in Nordic headspace: Bergi\u00f0 headspace and Mental Helse. And last but certainly not least, to everyone who works every single day to turn the tide together with young people all over the world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, we can do so much more\u00a0<\/span>\ud83d\udc9a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you would like to be part of the Nordic headspace network or are curious about how you or your organization can contribute, you are always welcome to reach out to headspace Denmark's international department.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about the Nordic headspace Conference 2025 here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact us:<\/span><\/b>
Nina Moss, Head of International Department at headspace Denmark<\/span>
Email: nimo@detsocialenetvaerk.dk<\/a><\/span>
Tel: +45 22 76 95 86<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Nordic headspace conference 2024 - Let's invest in mental health<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Nordic headspace Conference <\/b>Gave Youth a Voice and Highlighted Smart Investments<\/p>\n

November 18 Copenhagen\u2019s Royal Danish Playhouse hosted the first Nordic headspace conference in Denmark. The event brought together researchers, politicians, business leaders, and young people from across the Nordic countries to discuss investments in youth mental health.<\/p>\n

Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen opened the conference with a speech emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, not only as a minister but also as a father. The musician URO set the tone with heartfelt songs.<\/p>\n

A key topic was the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. The day\u2019s debates included discussions on young people’s expectations of the labor market, presented by Christine Ravn Lund of the Danish Youth Council and Falck\u2019s CEO Jakob Riis. A youth panel also shared their perspectives on challenges such as future uncertainty, finances, and well-being.<\/p>\n

The conference featured international contributions, including insights from Professor Martin Knapp, who highlighted the economic benefits of investing in mental health, and WHO\u2019s Cassie Redlich, who showcased effective health initiatives.<\/p>\n

A heartfelt thanks to all participants and moderator Nynne Bjerre Christensen for an inspiring day that strengthened collaboration on youth mental well-being both in the Nordics and globally. As founder Poul Nyrup Rasmussen concluded: “Those who give much, receive much.” <\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

Read more about the Nordic headspace Conference 2024 here<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Orygen Global report, \u201cA low-intensity, low-cost model for youth mental health: the headspace Denmark approach\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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headspace Denmark\u2019s low-intensity volunteer model has recently been recognised by Orygen, the world\u2019s leading research organisation in youth mental health. The report explores other low-intensity service approaches around the world, provides an in-depth description of the headspace Denmark model and includes considerations for its adaptation and implementation into new settings. As the report concludes, \u201cThe headspace Denmark approach provides a promising model for adaptation to a diverse range of settings and different cultural contexts.\u201d You can read the report here<\/a><\/u><\/b>.<\/p>\n

We hope that this will inspire others to consider how low-intensity models such as this can be effectively utilised to better support young people\u2019s mental health and wellbeing in different resource settings around the globe. The report was launched online on the 19th November. You can watch the recording of the launch event here:<\/p>\n