‘We propose NOK 40 million for establishing outreach health teams connected to all child welfare institutions. In addition, we propose reallocating NOK 16 million, meaning that the investment in health teams will be increased by a total NOK 56 million in 2026. This will provide better health care access for children and guide staff at child welfare institutions. Children and young people in child welfare institutions have a high prevalence of mental health and substance abuse issues and lack access to health care,’ says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.

The government wants to strengthen low-threshold, municipal services for mental health and substance abuse by introducing a dedicated grant scheme. The grant will consist of funds previously allocated for other municipal services, as well as NOK 60 million in new funding. In total, the government proposes around NOK 429 million for low-threshold services and the rollout of ACT (Assertive Community Treatment), FACT (Flexible Assertive Community Treatment), and FACT Youth. In addition, NOK 30 million in grant funding will be allocated to voluntary organisations providing low-threshold services for mental health and substance abuse, and NOK 10 million for digital self-help and treatment services for mental health.

Delivering on promise

‘We have promised an increase in the mental health and substance abuse budget by NOK 3 billion over ten years. We have delivered and will continue to deliver next year. With this increase, we will have allocated NOK 1.2 billion more to mental health and we will be nearly halfway through the scaling-up process,’ says Vestre.

Mental health problems and disorders are among Norway’s biggest public health challenges and contribute to significant health loss, reduced quality of life, and social exclusion. Suicide rates are also at a record high.

‘We must provide help and treatment earlier. More low-threshold services in the municipalities and the voluntary sector are essential to achieve this. That is why we will continue the expansion of low-threshold services in the municipalities and, in the long run, introduce a legal right to these services. We also want to make digital self-help and treatment tools available, for example, on Helsenorge.no, and roll out the ABC For Good Mental Health public information campaign across the country,’ says Vestre.

‘With these tools, we ensure that people know more about what they can do to look after their mental health and prevent problems.’

Developing Digital Services

Digital services such as eTherapy are evidence-based and have been proven effective for, among other things, anxiety and depression.

‘There are many advantages. Treatment can start quickly, there is no need to take time off school or work, and no time is spent travelling to and from appointments. It can also help reduce waiting times. We therefore want even more people to have access to this service,’ says Vestre.