The use of antidepressants among young adults in Finland has nearly doubled over the past ten years, according to new data from Kela, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution.
In 2024, nearly one in five women aged 18 to 29 used antidepressant medication. Among men in the same age group, the figure was 7.5 percent.
The data points to a growing disparity between genders, with a gap now approaching 10 percentage points. The increase in medication use among women has been markedly steeper than among men.
Miika Vuori, a senior researcher at Kela, said that mental health issues among women rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not returned to previous levels. “Girls and especially young women are more likely to seek healthcare. When treatment-seeking is higher, a diagnosis is more likely,” Vuori told STT.
He noted that women are also significantly more likely than men to be clients in Kela's rehabilitation psychotherapy programmes. Although antidepressant use among young adults has increased, the rate of growth has slowed in recent years for both sexes.
In comparative terms, Finns aged under 30 now consume more antidepressants and ADHD medication than their peers in other Nordic countries. Vuori said that about 15 years ago, Finland had lower use of these medicines than its neighbours. “Since then, Finland has caught up and surpassed the others,” he said.
For example, in 2016, antidepressant use among young adult women in Sweden was comparable to Finland. By 2024, Finland had surpassed Sweden by five percentage points. Vuori said this raises questions about changing national practices and access to treatment, which require further study.
The use of ADHD medication has also increased rapidly, especially among school-aged boys. Currently, one in ten Finnish boys aged 7 to 12 is taking ADHD medication. The number of girls using such medication has grown sixfold in ten years, though girls are still diagnosed and treated less frequently than boys.
Vuori said this discrepancy may reflect different diagnostic patterns. Boys are more often started on medication even when symptoms are similar. Girls tend to be diagnosed later.
Psychotherapy remains the recommended first-line treatment for mild and moderate depression. However, Vuori said the shortage of short-term therapy options has likely led to greater reliance on medication. “There’s concern among professionals about overmedication of young school-aged boys,” he said.
Data on prescribing practices in Finland remains limited, making it difficult to determine if medication is being prescribed too readily. Vuori expressed hope that treatment decisions are based on clear clinical purposes and monitored carefully. “I believe, trust and hope that medication is always used rationally and with proper follow-up,” he said.
While pharmaceutical treatment has expanded, its causes are tied to multiple societal factors, including increased awareness, reduced stigma, and evolving health service access. Finland’s divergence from other Nordic countries may also reflect shifting clinical norms and public health policies over time.
HT
