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1. National strategy(ies)

2. Improving the mental health of young people

National strategy(ies)

Mental health work is based on the Health Care Act (in Finnish, also available in Swedish) and the Mental Health Act (in Finnish, also available in Swedish). The wellbeing services counties are responsible for providing mental health services, with the quality and availability of the services tailored according to the needs of the respective regions. The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme 2024–2027 recognises the growing concern about young people’s mental health. Young people themselves have highlighted the need to reduce academic pressure, ensure low-threshold services, and improve service quality.

A key long-term policymaking document regarding mental health is the National Mental Health Strategy and Programme for Suicide Prevention 2020–2030 (in Finnish). The strategy has five priority areas: ‘mental health as capital, mental health of children and young people, mental health rights, services and mental health management’. The strategy provides guidelines for decision-making and for directing activities and resources. Initial implementation focuses on increasing the availability of basic-level preventive services and strengthening the cooperation structures necessary for maintaining them. Other measures aim to improve employment-oriented mental health services, raise the level of mental health competence in municipalities, and enhance suicide prevention efforts. 

Mental health promotion for children and young people is also supported by the National Strategy for Children (2021). According to the strategy, ‘social welfare and health care services will be extensively linked to education services and different services, activities and communities that promote wellbeing and health.’ In addition, the therapy guarantee for children and young people's mental health (in Finnish) will take effect on 1 May 2025. The guarantee ensures that all individuals under the age of 23 will have access to mental health services within a month.

The government authority responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring national mental health work is the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Its objectives include improving the availability of mental health services and services for substance users, implementing the development plan for mental health and substance abuse services, and developing practices to prevent depression and work incapacity due to depression. 

The 2023 legislative changes (in Finnish) concerning mental health and substance abuse services aim to improve the accessibility and quality of services, and to strengthen the equal treatment of clients across all age groups. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies the roles of different authorities and brings mental health and substance abuse services into the broader health and social services system. In addition, MIELI Mental Health Finland has established a national centre for suicide prevention. The centre operates in Helsinki and Kuopio, providing support for individuals who have attempted suicide as well as their loved ones. 

Improving the mental health of young people

HUS Psychiatry maintains the website mentalhub.fi, which offers self-help programmes for various target groups, including young people. The website provides tools for self-evaluation and lists services through which young people can seek help. The website highlights that self-evaluation results are only indicative and do not replace a physician’s medical evaluation. 

At the organisational level, youth-led initiatives include the Youth Mental Health Association – Yeesi, Finland’s first national mental health association for young people. The organisation provides opportunities for its members to promote the mental wellbeing of their generation and aims to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of one’s mental health.

Yeesi’s mission is to ‘give opportunities to any 13–29-year-olds, to enhance and learn how to cherish their own mental wellbeing, and to help others look after theirs’. Their primary communication channel is social media, where young people can also engage in their activities. 

Sekasin Collective (in Finnish) is a collaborative initiative, coordinated by MIELI Mental Health Finland, The Finnish Red Cross, the Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses (FFSH), and SOS-Lapsikylä (SOS Children’s Villages). The collective provides a mental health chat service for young people aged 12–29. Its key objectives are to promote mental wellbeing, support young people in times of crisis, and prevent factors contributing to mental health issues. Sekasin-chat is operated by the afore-mentioned co-operators, alongside other actors and organisations in the field, and a large number of trained volunteers. The service is available every day of the year, with each conversation lasting up to 45 minutes. According to the 2023 report, 37,028 conversations took place via the service. 

In addition to its chat service, Sekasin Collective also operates a Discord-based platform, Sekasin Gaming, which is Finland's largest professionally moderated online youth space and community. The service is specifically targeted at young people who are hard to reach by traditional means, marginalised or at risk of marginalisation. In 2023, the Discord server had 26,380 members. 

Chat services for specific target groups are also offered by various NGOs;

• Save the Children Finland: services include the children’s online youth house Netari, offering various online platforms for various target groups.
• Eating Disorder Association SYLI ry: provides the SYLI –chat (in Finnish) for young people who want to talk about their worries and thoughts concerning eating, sports and body image (in Finnish).
• Family Federation of Finland: Et ole yksin –chat (‘You’re not alone’ chat for athletes and those working in the sports sector, in Finnish).
• Family Federation of Finland: Seksuaalineuvontachat (Sexual Counselling Chat for young people under 20 years, in Finnish).
• Family Federation of Finland: Poikien puhelin (Boys’ phone line for boys and young men, in Finnish).
• Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters: Chat (in Finnish).
• Finnish Student Health Service: SelfChat for assessing the need for mental health treatment, for university students.
• Mannerheim League for Child Welfare: Chat and phone line for children and young people (in Finnish).
• Maria Akatemia: Keijun varjo –chat (“Shadow of the fairy” chat for girls and women over 15 years, who use violence towards others or are afraid to do so, in Finnish).
• Nuorten palvelu ry: Outreach youth work chat in WhatsApp and Discord (in Finnish).

MIELI Mental Health Finland also organises intensive courses and peer support groups for young people and young adults in need of support. A crisis helpline is available for urgent situations. SOS Crisis Centres, located in Helsinki, Kuopio and Seinäjoki, offer conversational therapy meetings free of charge and without a physician’s referral.

The Finnish Red Cross provides emergency youth shelters for young people aged 12–21. These shelters offer conversational support and, when needed, a temporary overnight accommodation. Facilities are located in Espoo, Helsinki, Vantaa, Tampere and Turku. In addition to in-person services, young people can call to seek advice, and online support is available twice a week. All services at the shelter are free of charge for young people.