Short summary
- 65% of Ukrainian refugees in Norway report mental health problems, mainly linked to uncertainty about work, finances, and the future. Women and younger adults are the most affected.
- Conditions in the home country and time spent in Norway influence mental health. Those who still have close family in Ukraine or who arrived before 2024 report more problems, while better finances and close relationships in Norway offer protection.
- Children and young people struggle the most. Newly arrived teenagers and a growing group of unaccompanied minors experience loneliness, adjustment difficulties, and elevated risk of other mental health challenges.
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65 percent of Ukrainians in Norway report experiencing mental health challenges.
“A very large share of Ukrainian refugees in Norway struggle with mental health problems. The share is significantly higher among refugees than in the Norwegian population overall,” says Vilde Hernes, senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet.
This is documented in the fourth annual survey of Ukrainian refugees’ experiences in Norway (nva.sikt.no), which NIBR prepares on behalf of the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi).
“Among the most commonly reported causes of mental health problems are uncertainty about employment, unsuccessful attempts to find work, or jobs where they cannot use their skills. In addition, a general sense of uncertainty about the future creates mental distress,” Hernes says.
Unaccompanied minors from Ukraine feel lonely, lack social connections, and are not interested in the world around them. This often leads to depression and other psychological challenges.– Vilde Hernes
Worsening problems over time
Women and younger adults report more mental health problems than men and older adults. Family circumstances in Ukraine also affect mental health.
“Those who do not have close family in Ukraine have better mental health than those who still do,” Hernes says.
Economics also play a role.
“A better financial situation reduces the likelihood of mental health problems, while unemployed individuals and those in the introduction programme are more likely to experience such problems compared to those who are employed,” says Hernes.
The number of years spent in Norway also appears to influence mental health.
“Those who arrived before 2024 report more mental health problems than those who arrived later,” says Hernes.
Those who have close relationships in Norway, however, have better mental health.
“Having specifically Norwegian friends does not appear to matter. What seems most important is having a general feeling of being welcomed and having close connections here,” Hernes says.
Only 28 percent of respondents say they have needed psychological services in Norway, and roughly half of these have received such services.
Teenagers are struggling
“Newly arrived teenagers experience difficulties making new friends, adapting to local schooling, and generally finding their place in the new social environment,” says Hernes.
Researchers have observed the same pattern all four years.
“Another important issue that emerged this year concerns unaccompanied minors from Ukraine – a group that has grown significantly since 2024,” says Hernes.
These are youths who have come to Norway alone, without their parents. Many did not come because they wanted to, but because they were sent away to avoid being drafted by the Ukrainian army.
“This group feels lonely, lacks social connections, and is not interested in the world around them. This often leads to depression and other psychological challenges. Continued research on these young refugees in Norway is essential,” Hernes says.
