Speech for Arctic Frontiers Side Event: Strengthening Mental Health in Arctic Communities: What Can We Learn from Success Stories in Policy and Practice?

Ladies and gentlemen, Indigenous brothers and sisters. Dear Arctic Friend.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today about a topic that is deeply personal to me and critical to our shared future: the mental health and well-being of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic.

Mental health is central to the overall well-being of individuals and communities. It is not just about treating illness—it is about creating the conditions where people can thrive. It’s about belonging, identity, and hope. For Indigenous peoples, mental health is deeply intertwined with our cultural practices, our languages, and our connection to the land.

But mental health challenges among Indigenous peoples in the Arctic cannot be separated from the broader context of historic injustices. Colonization, the dispossession of lands, forced assimilation policies, and the suppression of our languages and cultures have left deep scars. These are not merely historical facts; they are ongoing realities that shape the health and well-being of our communities today.

Statistics tell part of the story. Indigenous peoples often have lower life expectancy, less access to healthcare, and higher rates of poverty compared to non-Indigenous populations. Mental health challenges, especially among young men, are particularly concerning. Suicide rates in some communities have reached crisis levels, pointing to a deep need for culturally adapted mental health services and a more comprehensive response from governments.

In Norway, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has documented how the Norwegianization, which was the official Norwegian Assimilation policy, has left the Sámi people with deep scars. Norwegianization wounds is an expression that they have coined. This wound includes both generational trauma, as well as trauma inflicted today. It relates to issues such as racism, discrimination and the problems with land rights, among other things.

The view of the The Sámi Parliament is that mental health cannot be viewed only as illness that needs treatment. If mental health in indigenous communities is to be strengthen, we need policies on a range of issues that give us the opportunity to uphold our lifestyles, culture and languages. We need to repair damage from colonial practices. If not, we will just be patching up the wounds – and not treating them at their root.

Luckily, we have good practices. Both in terms of holistic approaches to mental health, as well as good treatment practices. Because we certainly need good quality, customized treatment as well. Good practices matter because they show us what is possible. They give us models we can build on, adapt, and scale. We will be hearing about some really good practices today. 

One of them is SANKS, the Sámi National Competence Centre for Mental Health and Substance Use. Based in Norway, SANKS has demonstrated the power of culturally tailored mental health care. It is part of the Sámi Clinic, which operates under the Finnmark Hospital Trust.

For many Sámi people, accessing mental health services through SANKS is a profoundly different experience. Here, they can speak their own language, share their struggles within the context of their culture, and feel understood—not just as patients, but as members of a community with a rich cultural heritage.

However, as much as SANKS has achieved, its potential is far greater. The Sámi Parliament has consistently advocated for SANKS and the Sámi Clinic to be nationally organized so that their vital services can reach all Sámi people in Norway. This would align with Norway’s obligations under ILO Convention No. 169, particularly Article 25, which emphasizes the need for governments to ensure that Indigenous peoples enjoy equal access to healthcare and that their unique social, economic, and cultural conditions are taken into account in the provision of services. It also emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ right to responsibility and control in relation to the services.

The Norwegian Ministry of Health has acknowledged this need, committing to an evaluation of how the Sámi Clinic and SANKS should be organized. However, progress has been slow, and we in the Sámi Parliament are still waiting to be included in meaningful consultations about this process. This is a critical oversight. Sámi voices must be at the heart of these discussions if the solutions are to meet the needs of our people.

The challenges facing Arctic communities—whether mental health crises, climate change, or social inequities—are complex and interconnected. They cannot be solved by one group or one nation alone. This is why multilateral collaboration is so important.

Collaboration allows us to share knowledge, pool resources, and learn from each other’s experiences. For example, Arctic nations can learn from the success of SANKS in Norway, as well as from other culturally adapted health initiatives in places like Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Indigenous communities across the Arctic face similar challenges, and we bring valuable perspectives and expertise to the table—expertise rooted in resilience, adaptation, and centuries of lived experience in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Collaboration also builds trust. When governments, Indigenous communities, and organizations work together as equals, we create solutions that are not only effective but sustainable. This is why it is so important to involve Indigenous peoples in decision-making processes, whether it’s about healthcare, climate change, or economic development. Without trust, even the best-intentioned policies will fall short.

Addressing mental health in the Arctic is not just a question of services and programs. It’s about justice. It’s about rights. And it’s about listening to the voices of those who have lived these experiences. Indigenous peoples have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity. But resilience alone is not enough. We need support. We need investment. And we need governments to act. Thank you.