What if the key to feeling whole is better connection - to the world, to others and to ourselves?
Human beings are super connectors. We are designed to be in connection at all times. In health, our connections and bonds keep us regulated and help us respond to life, develop and self-correct where necessary. That could be defined as mental health!
This healthy state is fundamental to human nature and belongs to everyone - a kind of baseline.
At Omkoppla we believe that our natural way of connecting has been enormously disrupted in the last few decades with the advent of the smartphone, social media, algorithms and, more recently, artificial intelligence.
We believe that digital connections are replacing real ones at a volume and rate which is seriously challenging our ability to stay regulated. In fact we think this replacement of connections, at the very least, is a significant contributor to - if not a cause of - the current mental health crisis.
By now, we're used to gloomy mental health statistics in the west, especially among young people. Mental health programmes focusing on prevention and awareness are implemented widely, but often focus on symptoms, destigmatisation and supportive measures rather than root causes. At Omkoppla we believe there is a simple aspect to the crisis which should be thought about in more depth - digital connections taking over from real-life connections.
We believe young people have what it takes to live up to this challenge and find their balance again. Rather than knee-jerk prohibition and top-down regulation, we are convinced that the right approach is knowledge, agency and mastery - and that is exactly what our programmes are designed to do.
Omkoppla [ˈɔmˌkɔpːla]
Omkoppla is one form of the Swedish verb 'koppla' which means:
1. to unite or bind together
2. to understand – 'get it'
The prefix 'om' gives the meaning 'to switch connections' or 'to connect in a different way'
We call our programme Omkoppla because we believe that an awareness of how we are connecting, and an active decision to address our connections is key to our mental health.
The average 18-year old in the West is on track to spend 90% of their available free time on a screen. This is a staggering number, and a direct consequence of the design of social media and smart devices – created to capture as much of our time as possible. The power and influence of social media and technology has already changed our behaviour and habits. This is something that young people absolutely need to navigate with awareness. When the numbers are so staggering and the narrative so negative, personal agency becomes all-important. In fact, young people need to know that they do have agency, and that they can make their own choices. Often, what they get to hear is quite the opposite. We tell them that they are harming or damaging themselves, offering them no positive pathways to navigate this new reality.A central element of Omkoppla is providing young people with an awareness of what's happening, so that they can take control of the way that they are connecting.
As adults, we’re watching screens swallow more and more of young people’s lives. Most of us hover between panic and uncertainty, unsure of what to do. That’s when we default to rules, bans and control. But this can disempower young people - it suggests they can’t handle the digital world, and turns devices into a point of conflict.The digital world is a powerful force. It dominates our attention and shifts so fast we barely see how it shapes our behaviour and beliefs. Algorithms decide what we encounter - or don’t. Omkoppla focuses on the human foundations that do not change, while grounding everything in a digital context that feels relevant to young people.
At Omkoppla, we help young people reconnect with their own potential by combining evidence-based therapeutic practice with emerging technology and real-world insight. Our team brings over 40 years of experience across mental health, therapy, coaching, and digital behaviour, giving us a deep, continually up-to-date understanding of how social media shapes the lives of young people today. Through our day-to-day work in schools and with families, we lift the lid on how these digital services really operate and translate that knowledge into practical, grounded support. Rooted in a diverse set of perspectives and years of therapeutic experience, we hold an unshakable belief in human capacity and the ability of every young person to grow, adapt, and thrive. Everything we do is designed to empower the individual - helping them build stronger connections, healthier habits, and a more confident sense of self.
Omkoppla works with schools and youth organisations to deliver workshops and short or longer programmes for small groups, class groups, and whole year groups. Our programmes fit naturally within the school timetable - often as part of Personal Development - and are designed to be engaging, practical, and insight-based rather than ‘preachy’ or ‘scary’. Sessions blend core principles of coaching with space for young people to reflect, adapt what they hear, and apply it to their own circumstances. By combining guided discussion, relatable examples, and opportunities for personal insight, we help students connect ideas to real life in a way that feels meaningful, relevant, and genuinely supportive.
We support families who often feel unsure which path to take when guiding young people through digital life. Omkoppla champions open, honest conversation - offering parent information evenings, practical guidance, and space to ask the questions that rarely get discussed. Drawing on our combined experience across mental health, coaching, technology, and youth work, we give families a fresh, realistic but hopeful perspective on how social media affects wellbeing. Our aim is to equip parents with confidence, clarity, and a grounded viewpoint that helps them navigate digital pressures alongside their children, not in opposition to them.
We’re passionate, challenging speakers who push the conversation on youth mental health and digital life beyond the usual narratives. Across the UK and Europe, we work with headteachers, policymakers, and leaders in youth support to question assumptions, spark debate, and open up perspectives that often go unexplored. While we recognise the good work already happening, the deeper discussion around digital connection remains underrepresented - and too often dominated by prohibition and scare tactics. We bring a different voice: realistic, hopeful, and unapologetically focused on equipping young people with the tools they need to navigate digital life, not fear it. If you’re looking for speakers or panel contributors who challenge thinking and bring energy, clarity, and grounded expertise, we’d love to be part of the conversation.