The minister faces criticism over the system that people with concussions encounter and the promise that help is on the way.

Health Minister Sophie Løhde (V) is deeply troubled when she hears accounts from people and families struggling with the system to get help for long-term symptoms following a concussion.

*"It really pains me to think about the children, young people, and adults who today experience a failure from our healthcare system in not being able to provide adequate help,"* she says.

That’s why the minister promises that help is on the way for those affected by concussions.

*"We must ensure that there are specialized services for people suffering from severe long-term effects after a concussion. That’s something we should be able to deliver within the Danish healthcare system."*

So when can we expect concrete proposals from her on this issue?

*"Within a few weeks, I will present a plan on how we can improve the entire concussion area for children, young people, and adults."*

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**Left to their own devices**

And it’s an uphill battle to get help if you’re dealing with long-term symptoms after a concussion.

That’s the experience of one family in Aarhus. Wikki Lund Hansen and Ali Eziddin’s 11-year-old daughter Isabella suffered a concussion two years ago and still struggles with symptoms. She can only manage two to three days at school per week and never for more than 45 minutes at a time.

The family feels abandoned in a healthcare system that cannot offer support to a child with long-term effects.

They’ve tried contacting Aarhus Municipality’s concussion coordinator as well as Hammel Neurocenter, but were turned away in both cases due to Isabella’s age. They also approached the municipality’s brain injury coordinator, only to be told no—because a concussion isn’t considered a brain injury.

*"You’re left with a sense of frustration and powerlessness because all we want is to help our child get back on track as quickly as possible,"* says Isabella’s mother, Wikki Lund Hansen.

In general, it’s difficult to get help if you’re among those who end up with long-term symptoms. A long-awaited analysis from the Danish Health Authority concluded just a few weeks ago that concussion treatment in Denmark is both delayed and inadequate.

Read also: Long-awaited analysis reveals major problems in concussion treatment ([link](https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/laenge-ventet-analyse-afsloerer-store-problemer-i-behandlingen-af-hjernerystelse))

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**Expert: "There aren’t many options"**

The family’s story has made a strong impression on the minister.

*"It really pains me to hear how families are treated by the system. It simply cannot be that someone is told, ‘Because you’re a child or young person, we have no services for you,’"* she says.

According to the country’s leading concussion experts, Isabella is far from the only child struggling with the aftereffects of a concussion who is left to their own devices.

*"There aren’t many options for children and young people across the country—there simply aren’t,"* says Frank Humle, director of the Center for Brain Injury, which specializes in concussions among other things.

Hana Malá Rytter, head of research at the Danish Concussion Center, emphasizes the need for tailored treatment approaches.

*"There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so we must design treatment that’s relevant for each child and their family."*

This year, the government has allocated 20 million Danish kroner to strengthen efforts for people with concussions. From 2027, 40 million kroner will be allocated annually to the area.

The funds will go toward more standardized treatment pathways and better coordination of care across the country.

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