Digital Mental Health
Project Case Study: The Future of Mental Health Tools for Youth in Sweden
Project Title: Empowering the Next Generation - Redefining Digital Mental Health for Young Women
Client: Karolinska Institute, Saha Ung
Year: [Specify Year]
Changing the Future of Youth Mental Health in Sweden
Mental health challenges among young people are rising globally, and Sweden is no exception. The team at Nordic Future Labs partnered with Karolinska Institute to rethink how digital mental health tools could better serve young women in Sweden.
The traditional approach wasn't working—despite having a comprehensive digital mental health platform, they were struggling to recruit participants, especially young women. The service needed a new direction, something more aligned with the lived experiences of young people today. Karolinska knew they had a vital service, but they needed it to resonate deeply.
The future of mental health care isn't just about offering support; it’s about empowering users to step into their potential, especially when the future feels uncertain. And so, we began a journey to reimagine digital mental health tools through the eyes of young women.
The Challenge
Karolinska's digital mental health platform was comprehensive but broad. Engagement was low, and dropout rates were high.
The challenge was clear: how do we create a service that feels personal, empowering, and deeply relevant to young women?
Mental health stigma remained a barrier, and many young women weren’t seeking help because they didn’t see mental health care as a tool that could help them on their journey to self-empowerment.
Our Approach
Reimagining Through Their Eyes
At Nordic Future Labs, we knew the solution lay in human-centric innovation. We needed to create a connection between Karolinska’s service and the dreams, fears, and challenges of the young women it was designed for.
1
Persona Development & User Research
We divided the target group into sub-segments based on life stages and challenges. We didn’t just want to know who they were—we wanted to know where they were in their personal development journeys.
By re-imagining their everyday lives, we began to see the world from their perspective, understanding the pressures they face at home, in school, and in relationships.
2
Service Redesign
We re-packaged the mental health platform into something more than just support - it became a tool for empowerment. Mental health wasn’t just about addressing issues; it became a key to unlocking personal potential, stepping into leadership, and owning one’s future.
We connected the service to their aspirations, showing them how taking care of their mental well-being would help them achieve their goals.
3
Influencer Ambassador Program
We tapped into the power of influence. By partnering with female role models who were already speaking to this audience, we shifted the narrative.
Mental health became a way to step into power rather than a response to crisis. Influencers weren’t just promoting a service - they were sharing their own stories, aligning their personal growth journeys with the message of self-care and mental empowerment.
4
Reinventing Communication
We stripped away the old messaging and rebuilt the communication strategy from the ground up, focusing on authenticity.
The program was no longer a service for those in need - it became a movement, a way for young women to step confidently into their futures.
We showed them how mental health wasn’t just relevant, it was essential for achieving their goals and becoming the women they aspired to be.
Who we are
Nordic Future Labs is a strategic innovation agency dedicated to designing the future of business and society. Our multidisciplinary team of strategists, designers, and innovators works alongside global organizations to solve complex challenges.
Rooted in Nordic values of resilience, sustainability, and collaboration, we bridge the gap between vision and execution, transforming bold ideas into actionable strategies that drive real-world impact.
Our impact
We partner with global leaders across industries, driving sustainable innovation and resilience. Our work spans diverse sectors, from transforming coworking spaces into sustainable office hubs to crafting strategic responses for global organizations navigating complex challenges.
Each project is a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact—economically, socially, and environmentally.
Eco-friendly Resorts
Transformed traditional resorts into carbon-negative, eco-friendly destinations that blend luxury with sustainability.
Thriving Workspaces
Redefined coworking into co-thriving spaces, creating sustainable and human-centric office solutions recognized by the Nordic Startup Awards.
Sustainable Fashion
Empowered fashion brands to embrace sustainable practices, creating innovative, eco-conscious products that resonate with modern consumers.
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The Future of Sustainable Eco-Resorts
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Transforming Zanzibar’s Coastal Resorts into Carbon-Negative, Blue Economy Hubs
RISE (Research Institute of Sweden)
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