Tim Bergling Foundation Helps Organize First-Ever Swedish Youth Mental Health Debate

All Eight Parties Convene at Avicii Arena

The Tim Bergling Foundation co-hosted a political debate on May 21st that brought all eight of Sweden's parliamentary parties together to discuss youth mental health, marking the first time in Swedish history that the subject has united the country's full political spectrum. The event took place at Stockholm's Avicii Arena, the venue renamed in 2022 to honor the late DJ who was open about his battle with depression before his death by suicide in 2018.

The foundation, established by Avicii's parents after his death, partnered with Ångestpodden, a mental health podcast working to reduce stigma since 2015, and Sveriges Elevkårer, the Swedish Student Union representing upper secondary school students across the country.

Social Media Age Limits and Care Equality on the Table

Ångestpodden hosts Ida Höckerstrand and Sofie Hallberg moderated the debate, which addressed topics including a potential 15-year age limit on social media and the pursuit of equal mental health care throughout Sweden regardless of zip code. The discussion marked the podcast's third consecutive election campaign pushing mental health issues onto the national agenda, reflecting growing public concern about psychological wellbeing among young Swedes.

Part of Sweden's Largest Youth Mental Health Coalition

The debate was organized as part of the country's largest coordinated initiative for youth mental health, a movement uniting 43 civil society organizations. The coalition operates under the banner of Sweden's largest alliance for young people's mental health and includes the Upp Till Oss initiative, a platform inviting individuals and companies to join the effort.

The Tim Bergling Foundation channels Avicii's legacy into advocacy and research around mental health and suicide prevention.