Shifting towards positive youth development in schools in Norway – challenges and opportunities

This commentary seeks to address the challenges of implementing school mental health promotion, and the applicability of positive youth development (PYD) theory. We know that, for more than two decades, it has been a goal in Norway to reorient schools towards (mental) health-promoting schools, applying a resource and strength perspective. Even so, we are still far from reaching these goals and mental health problems are increasing – especially among youth – and are nowadays perceived to be one of the major public health burdens in Norway. In this respect, it is argued that framed within PYD theory, student participation can create for young people the possibility to contribute and use their assets, leading to competent, confident and caring youth who have character and positive social connections, which in turn create conditions for contributions and healthy functioning, well-being and thriving through adolescence.