The Norwegian Directorate of Health has invested heavily in building low-threshold digital health services, and has procured several self-help tools for its digital library - as part of the effort to strengthen mental health in the population, with particular emphasis on children and young people.
The challenge
Mental health difficulties have become a significant public health challenge, with rising rates of stress, anxiety, and depression - particularly among young people. The Directorate of Health saw a growing need for easily accessible, low-threshold resources that could help people manage their own mental health challenges, without everyone having to go through traditional health services first.
How Youwell addressed the challenge
Youwell has developed self-help tools in collaboration with the Directorate of Health and their partners: Tankevirus, which helps users identify and challenge the negative thought patterns behind stress and anxiety; Grubl, which offers strategies for handling worry and rumination constructively; UngSpotlight, aimed specifically at children and young people, with interactive activities that build coping skills and openness; SpillFri, which supports people who want to reduce or stop gambling; and Stressmestring, which teaches techniques for managing stress, racing thoughts, and anxiety.
Results customers experience
- Over 150,000 downloads across the tools
- In several of the tools, 7 out of 10 users report reduced symptoms and better coping
- Increased accessibility - the tools are available to everyone, regardless of where they live or their financial situation
- Lower threshold for seeking help, since the tools are anonymous and self-directed
- Contributes to early prevention, before difficulties develop into more serious mental health problems