Changes over time in mental health symptoms among adolescents in Tampere, Finland

Abstract Background: Mental health problems are common in adolescence and seeking help for them is becoming more common. Referrals to adolescent mental healthcare have recently increased in Finland. Objective: To examine time trends in internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms among Finnish adolescents. Method: A time-trend school survey was conducted among 9th graders (15-year-olds) in Tampere, Finland, in three time periods: 2002–03, 2012–13 and 2018–19 (N = 4,162). Results: Compared to the period 2002–03, prevalence of externalizing symptoms decreased in