Sami youth in Norway seek support through new counseling service initiative

Young Sami in Norway face numerous challenges, particularly in the wake of recent events affecting the Sami community. Marit J. Michelsen, head of the youth organization Oslove Noereh, expressed her support for the Red Cross’s initiative to establish a Sami-speaking counseling service for children and youth, aiming to launch it within the year.

The Red Cross is currently seeking Sami-speaking volunteers in Oslo to assist with this service, named ‘Kors på halsen’ (Cross on the Neck), which caters to children and young people under 18 via chat and phone. This initiative seeks to provide a safe space for young Sami to discuss their experiences, particularly in light of increasing societal awareness regarding issues such as those highlighted in the controversial Fosen case.

Despite ongoing reports revealing significant threats to the mental health of Sami youth, only one Sami-speaking volunteer has come forward. Nelli Kongshaug from the Red Cross emphasizes the need for more volunteers to ensure consistent support for these young individuals, with hopes to observe an expansion to other regions in the future.

Kongshaug noted the importance of providing an environment where young Sami can communicate anonymously and feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics. The counseling service has been available in Norwegian for 40 years, and now aims to include Sami languages, starting with Northern Sami, and eventually expanding to other dialects as more volunteers are recruited.

This initiative is crucial, as many young Sami prefer to express themselves in their native language, enhancing their comfort and emotional support.