The Family Centre Offers Mental Health Services for Families and Youth

Family Centre Series: Part 5.

Who Should I Contact First?

If the person needing help is a child or adolescent, the best place to start is the child and maternity health clinic or your child’s student welfare services. It is also common to need help with parenting or family issues. For that, you can contact family counselling services or family social work.

I’m Not in a Crisis, But Would Like to Talk to a Professional Before the Problems Escalate – What Are My Options?

If you're a student, don't hesitate to contact the student welfare services. Parents of pre-schoolers or younger children seeking parenting support can reach out to the child and maternity health clinic, family counselling services, or family social work. Social and healthcare professionals are there to guide you to suitable support services. You don’t have to face your challenges alone.

Is There a Reliable Online Test for Evaluating Mental Health?

If you have concerns about your own mental well-being or that of your child, it’s important to first contact a social or healthcare professional. For adolescents over 13, there is a digital tool called the Intervention Navigator for assessing mental health. For adults, the equivalent tool is the Therapy Navigator. After completing these assessments, the individual receives a summary of their responses—highlighting what symptoms are present and their severity. A key component is being interviewed by a professional about these results, followed by a mutual discussion to plan the next steps. Student welfare professionals can guide both youths and their guardians on how to use the Intervention Navigator. Likewise, health centres offer guidance for adults on using the Therapy Navigator.

Can I Access Digital Help for Mental Health?

Yes. For example, Mentalhub.fi offers various free self-help programs that anyone can use.  These can be completed independently or with professional guidance and support. The professional can help you choose the most suitable self-help program, monitor, and assist your progress, and plan further steps with you if needed. A healthcare professional can assess the suitability of online therapy for individuals above 16.

What Services are Available for Young People?

Student welfare services are dedicated to fostering good learning environments and supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of young people. For more information, please visit the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.

Can I Reach Out on Behalf of Someone Else?

If you’re concerned about a loved one, a young person, or a friend, it's advisable to first talk with them. Friends or loved ones of those in need can contact health and social services centres, crisis emergency services, or the hospital’s emergency clinic.

Mental health challenges shouldn’t be faced alone, and it’s not unusual for individuals to delay seeking help. In such cases, the support from friends and loved ones is crucial. Remember, it’s equally important to look after your own well-being and seek support for yourself, as dealing with a loved one’s psychological distress can be extremely challenging.

Where to Seek Immediate Help in a Crisis Situation?

In urgent, life-threatening situations, always call 112.  For non-life-threatening emergencies, you can reach out to your health centre or occupational healthcare provider. During office hours, assistance is available at the hospital’s Joint Emergency Department.

The HUS Medical Helpline can be reached at 116 117. They will advise you on the urgency of your situation and refer you to the appropriate place for treatment. Calling is free of charge. For crisis situations and acute traumatic events, you can call the Social and Crisis Emergency Services at 029 151 2221 for assistance and support. 

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This article is part of our series on family centres. In this series, we will explore the services and activities that Western Uusimaa family centres offer to families with children.