Results of the School Health Promotion Study from Western Uusimaa

There have been positive developments in how children and young people fare in Western Uusimaa compared with the previous study conducted in 2023. In the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, children and young people engage in more physical activity at all the education levels that responded to the study compared to the results of the whole country. The prevalence of smoking has also decreased among pupils in grades 8 and 9 of comprehensive school compared to the results of the whole country. They also consider their family’s financial situation more positive when compared with the results of the whole country. Teachers are interested in how students are faring.

In addition to positive developments, there are also some worrying trends. The share of those worried about their mood has increased in our wellbeing services county compared to the results of the previous study. 40% of pupils in grades 8 and 9 of comprehensive school had been worried about their mood in the last 12 months (37% in the 2023 study). The same applied to 41% of students in the 1st and 2nd year of general upper secondary school (39% in the 2023 study) and 38% of students in the 1st and 2nd year of vocational education (33% in the 2023 study). The trend has been similar in the entire country. However, a slightly lower share of general upper secondary school students in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County have been worried about their mood compared to the results of the whole country.

Unfortunately, the experience of anxiety observed among 8th and 9th-graders and students in upper secondary education in the previous School Health Promotion study has not declined; instead, it is rising slightly.

In Western Uusimaa, moderate or severe depression is emphasised especially in girls’ experience.  About one third of girls in grades 8 and 9 of comprehensive school and girls in the 1st and 2nd year of upper secondary education experience moderate or severe anxiety. Compared to the results of the whole country, the experiences of anxiety are somewhat more prevalent among pupils and students in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.

Positive developments in Western Uusimaa compared to the results of the whole country

• There is an increase in leisure-time physical activity of children and young people.
  • General upper secondary school students feel that there are enough spaces for young people to spend time in around their homes.
  • Hobby opportunities are nearby.
  • The family's financial situation is seen as more positive when compared with the results of the whole country.
  • Children and young people brush their teeth at least twice a day.

Worrying developments in Western Uusimaa compared to the results of the whole country

• Concerns about mood are becoming more prevalent.
  • Moderate and severe anxiety, especially among girls, has not declined.
  • Young people spend more time online than they should.
  • Experiments with drugs have increased in upper secondary education. In the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, 12% of general upper secondary school students and 20% of students in vocational institutions had tried illegal drugs at least once. To compare, 14% of students in vocational institutions and 9% of students in general upper secondary schools had tried illegal drugs in the whole country.

Read more about the School Health Promotion study on THL's website(external link)

In spring 2025, our wellbeing services county introduced a new model that helps children and young people with their mental health challenges. The model works in stages: school and educational institutions’ public health nurses, psychologists and social workers of student welfare provide help with minor mental health problems. The aim is to ensure that every child and young person receives the support they need at the right time.

The number of student welfare services personnel has been increased in autumn 2025. There are now more school nurses and psychologists, which means that pupils and students also receive better support in matters related to mental wellbeing.

According to studies, physical activity promotes the comprehensive wellbeing of children and young people. It is important that parents and all adults who encounter children and young people in their work encourage them to exercise in their free time. This will help maintain the positive development.