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VID project enters the Arctic Council

By: Kjersti Busterud
Published: May 28th 2025.

A VID project to provide better assistance to those bereaved by suicide has been included in the work of the Arctic Council.

– Suicide is a serious public health problem in the Arctic region. Several indigenous communities have alarmingly high suicide rates, says Knut Andersen.

Andersen is a college lecturer at VID Specialized University, and leads the project "Supporting Bereaved by Suicide in the Arctic Region: A Loss-Oriented Perspective".

The aim of the project is to contribute to better help and support for bereaved and others affected by suicide in Arctic areas.

The project has now been included in the Arctic Council's work.

Becomes part of the sustainability work

The Arctic Council is the most important international forum for issues that are common to the Arctic states, with particular emphasis on the environment, climate and sustainable economic development. The Council consists of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, (Russia), Sweden and the USA.

The work takes place in six working groups, and VID's project has now been incorporated into the working group for sustainable development (SDWG).

The leading principle in SDWG's work is to pursue initiatives that provide practical knowledge and help build the capacity of indigenous peoples and Arctic communities. It will equip them to meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the region.

Will start digital grief groups

Since autumn 2023, VID has collaborated with clinicians and researchers from Norway, Denmark/Greenland and Iceland to improve the existing services for those bereaved by suicide, as well as develop new services.

A questionnaire aimed at bereaved relatives has been sent out in Norwegian, English and Greenlandic.

Data collection is almost complete. Preliminary analyses show that the material provides insight into what the bereaved themselves experience as important in grief support work.

– The project group is collaborating on developing a template for grief support groups. We hope to be able to start a pilot project with digital grief groups at the beginning of 2026, says Andersen.