The Tim Bergling Foundation Brings Youth Mental Health to the Political Stage
Six years after Avicii's passing, the foundation created in his memory continues to turn grief into action, this time on the floor of Swedish politics.
A First in Swedish History
A landmark debate on youth mental health took place last month in Sweden, organised in part by the Tim Bergling Foundation. The event brought together representatives from all eight parliamentary parties at the Avicii Arena, formerly the Stockholm Globe Arena, on 21st May for what was described as Sweden's first-ever party debate entirely focused on youth mental health.
Central topics included a proposed ban on social media use for children under 15, rising suicide rates among young people, long waiting times for child and adolescent psychiatric care, and how schools can better support students. Mental health podcast Ångestpodden and the Swedish Student Union Sveriges Elevkårer were also involved in the event.
A Foundation Built on Loss
The Tim Bergling Foundation was founded in 2019 by Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén, Avicii's parents, following their son's death in April 2018. Its vision is a society where young people feel safe, have faith in the future, and get the support they need.
From the start, the foundation has put young people's voices at the centre of everything it does. Its work is built around the idea that adults have traditionally dominated conversations around mental health, and that young people deserve a platform to express their own ideas, needs, and hopes.
Music as a Tool for Change
Beyond politics, the foundation has consistently used music as a vehicle for awareness.
A flagship initiative called Studios For A Better Day has seen dedicated music studios built across Sweden, giving young people a space to produce tracks, experiment with sound, and channel personal experiences into art. By October 2025, at least six studios had been established nationwide.
The foundation has also backed Dance for Life, an initiative in which schools across Sweden participate in choreographed dances to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide among young people. It has since expanded to over 120 schools and 1,200 classes, involving more than 30,000 students.
A Legacy That Keeps Growing
What started as a family's response to tragedy has become one of the most active mental health advocacy organisations in Scandinavia, bringing music, education, and now national politics together in the name of the next generation.
The full parliamentary debate is available to watch on YouTube via the Tim Bergling Foundation's channels.
11/06/2026
écrit par la rédaction
