Funding boosts mental health services for children in North Jutland, Denmark

The psychiatric services in North Jutland, Denmark, are seeking solutions to support the many children and youths facing mental health challenges. With a donation of 180 million kroner from private foundations, this funding marks one of the largest contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry in the region. The aim is to reduce lengthy waiting times and assist struggling families.

Julia Michaelsen, a mother whose seven-year-old son Nohr is currently waiting for a psychiatric assessment, expressed her concern over the situation. Nohr’s appointment in child psychiatry is not available until May 20, 2026, leaving the family to cope with his daily struggles. Julia is apprehensive that such a long wait could have severe consequences for her son’s well-being.

Due to the delays in the regional mental health services, Michaelsen has decided to seek help at a hospital in Kolding, where she has an appointment scheduled for October.

The new funding will primarily focus on researching childhood and youth mental health issues, aiming for faster treatment solutions. Jan Mainz, the psychiatric director in North Jutland, stated that the region is facing a significant public health problem related to mental health among children and youths, emphasizing the need for better understanding of these issues for effective interventions.

The money will be allocated for research and development, improving collaboration between the region and municipalities, ensuring quicker assessments for children, and providing tailored treatment options involving the entire family. The four municipalities sharing in this funding are Aalborg, Hjørring, Mariagerfjord, and Thisted.

With this initiative, both families and experts like Flemming Konradsen from Novo Nordisk Foundation hope for noticeable improvements in mental health services, aiming for enhanced quality of care and reduced waiting times. Julia Michaelsen remains hopeful that the new projects will yield better outcomes for families like hers.