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The First Line Therapies operating model will be introduced gradually at the health centres of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County

5.4.2023 14.38

Under the new system, clients can receive help for mental health and substance abuse problems in the same place where the need for treatment is identified—for example, at health centres or child and maternity health clinics. This will improve the effectiveness, availability and timeliness of treatment. Additionally, it allows the focus to shift towards earlier interventions.

The Therapy Navigator helps to assess the need for treatment

The Therapy Navigator has been developed as part of the First Line Therapies (Terapiat etulinjaan) treatment model, and it is already being used as part of the assessment of the need for treatment in many areas in Finland. The First Line Therapies operating model focuses on improving the availability and processes of basic mental health services in collaboration with the wellbeing services counties and university hospitals. The operating model is part of the national mental health strategy and the support for the health and social services reform, and it enables the implementation of the therapy guarantee in the wellbeing services counties. 

The Therapy Navigator is an online survey which is used as a starting point for assessing the need for treatment. The survey consists of anonymous multiple-choice questions, symptom checkers and short open text fields. The questions are asked to determine the nature of the symptoms and problems, as well as the treatment-related needs. After completing the survey, the client receives a code which allows a health care professional to view the answers for one month's time. The Therapy Navigator is already used in some mental health and substance abuse clinics in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.

“The survey helps clients to clarify their thoughts about the situation, thus making it easier to discuss their condition with a professional. Indeed, the feedback from our clients has been largely positive,” says Marjo Eteläpää, service supervisor of the Espoo-Kauniainen mental health and substance abuse services. 

The Therapy Navigator and guided self-help to be introduced at health centres

During April, health centres will also begin to utilise the Therapy Navigator. Initially, the service will be introduced at the health centres of Lohja, Karkkila and Vihti on 17 April 2023.

“If the topic of mental health comes up during an appointment, we will instruct the client to complete the Therapy Navigator survey. The answers are reviewed together with a health care professional within a few days. Thereafter, we will explore options for further treatment based on the results,” says (the) project manager Petri Luomaa. “We may also request clients to complete the Therapy Navigator when they book an appointment by phone, if the topic of mental health comes up during the call.”

The Therapy Navigator compiles the answers automatically, making it easier for health care professionals to identify what kind of treatment the person needs. In many cases, guided self-help utilising the resources of MentalHub in combination with visits to the clinic is sufficient for treatment. If necessary, the person will be referred to, for instance, the mental health and substance abuse services or specialised medical care for further treatment. The aim is that clients can receive help for mental health and substance abuse problems within their own health care unit, rather than being bounced between different services.

During the course of 2023, the Therapy Navigator will be introduced at all mental health and substance abuse service units of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. The goal is for it to be used in every health centre by the end of 2024.

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