Voices from the North: Exploring Sámi People’s Perspectives on Environmental Change and Mental Well-Being.

Across the Circumpolar North, Indigenous communities like the Sámi are facing growing challenges due to rapid environmental changes. These changes—intertwined with social, political, and historical pressures—have a deep impact on mental wellbeing. Yet, within these communities lie powerful sources of resilience and knowledge that are essential for adapting to a changing world.

In this systematic literature review, we explored how environmental shifts affect the mental health of Circumpolar Indigenous peoples, with a specific focus on Sámi experiences and perspectives. How do they experience environmental change? How do they connect this to mental wellbeing? And what cultural values, practices, and relationships support their resilience?

By centering Indigenous voices, this research highlights the importance of locally grounded knowledge in shaping mental health responses to ecological disruption. Understanding and integrating these perspectives is not only a matter of justice—it also enriches and strengthens public health strategies in the context of the climate crisis.

This work underscores the urgent need for more qualitative, community-based research that builds on the strengths of Indigenous worldviews and fosters collaboration in the face of global environmental change.