Society Summit Youth

What happens when young people take the stage – not as participants, but as leaders?
That question came to life when Society Summit Youth was held for the first time in Skellefteå. Fifteen young people from Västerbotten gathered to talk about mental health – and what society can actually do to help young people feel better.

A day for young people to speak on their own terms

On May 27, fifteen young people from across Västerbotten gathered – from Skellefteå to Norsjö, Vindeln, and Malå. They ranged from middle school to high school, with different experiences but a shared will: to make a difference.
The theme of the day was mental health – an issue that all young people carry with them in some form. Through interactive polls, conversations, and reflection, participants described what mental health means to them.

"For me, democracy is inclusion. It's about everyone being involved - not only being invited, but also being taken seriously." - Emmanuela Gudeta, initiator of Society Summit Youth

Throughout the day, the participants identified environments where mental health struggles often arise – school, social media, and home were recurring themes. A live voting exercise made one thing clear: social media was named one of the largest contributors to mental health problems among young people.

But the focus wasn’t only on the problems – participants were also asked to flip the perspective: What do young people need to feel well?

The group from Norsjö highlighted online hate as a key cause of mental illness.

The Swedish United Nations Association took part in the day and connected the youth’s discussions to the global goals. They shared experiences from the UN Youth Forum, where young people emphasized the importance of empathy, equality, and education in building a better world.
They also invited participants to become youth leaders themselves and start a UN association in Skellefteå – a concrete step to continue creating local impact.

When Young People Point the Way

At the end of the day, participants presented three project ideas to an audience – ideas shaped in just a few hours, yet filled with deep insights and genuine engagement.

A Serious Topic First: Substance Abuse Among Youth

One group focused on substance abuse – often a taboo subject. With courage, they shared insights on how young people risk going down the wrong path and called for preventive work and safe forums where young people can speak without being judged.

Their proposals included information campaigns in schools, safe discussion groups, and stronger collaboration between schools, youth services, and healthcare.
The group also wrote a letter to Sweden’s Prime Minister.

Social Media – A Reality Without Filters

Another group took on the topic of social media and online hate. They described how anonymity online creates space for hate and harassment:

"It’s easy to be mean when no one knows who you are."

The group proposed both technical solutions and cultural change. Their goal was to raise awareness of the issue, promote accountability in digital spaces, and create safer platforms where everyone dares to speak up.

Ethics Discussions Already in Elementary School

The third group focused on preventing mental health issues through early conversations about ethics. They wanted to see recurring discussions about how we treat one another – long before kids get their first social media accounts.

"It’s not just about rules, but about values."
The goal: a new digital generation where respect and empathy are as natural as logging in.

A Forum That Brings Hope

At Society Summit Youth, the young participants showed that they don’t just want to be included – they want to lead. Through collaboration, courage, and forward thinking, they formulated concrete proposals to strengthen young people’s mental health. We look forward to seeing how these initiatives evolve and shape the future.

Read more about Society Summit Youth: Society Summit Youth