Efficient service pathways to youth mental health and substance abuse services
The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County has made major progress in improving our services for adolescents facing mental-health or substance-use challenges. An evaluation project, completed last December, has already delivered tangible results: young people now have smooth, consistent access to services across the entire wellbeing services county.
Standardised services and simple service paths
Service line director Juha-Pekka Strömberg recalls that when the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County was first established, youth mental health and substance abuse services were highly fragmented. “We inherited ten different service models from ten municipalities, and young people did not have equal access to these services.”
Based on the results of the previously mentioned evaluation project, we introduced a new approach. From the perspective of clients, the three main points are: 1. Standardised age limits; 2. Common criteria for entering services; and 3. A unified stepped-care model.
“Services for young people now cover ages 13–17; once they turn 18 they are covered by services for adults. This makes the service pathway clearer and services easier to reach,” explains Service unit manager Susanna Råman-Maljonen.
“The closest points of contact for most young people are school and student health care. These services offer initial support and, when needed, guide students to further help,” explains Petri Luomaa from the service unit for children, young people, and families.
School nurses, counsellors, and psychologists play a vital role in identifying problems early and providing support right within the school environment. The aim is for student welfare services to intervene before symptoms escalate. Broader, co-operative student welfare efforts—such as creating a supportive classroom atmosphere—also foster mental wellbeing.
“To strengthen early support within student welfare, we’ve trained student-welfare professionals in guided self-help and the Youth Intervention Navigator,” notes service line director Tuija Harakka.
If a young person is dealing with a condition that seriously affects daily life, they’re referred to mental health or substance abuse services. Treatment of diagnosed or severe disorders will also involve services provided by HUS.
“Decisions to step up or step down in level of care are always made together with the young person,” says service unit manager Joanna Immonen. This collaborative approach applies at every level.
The introduction of standardisation and the stepped-care model has made services more effective. Young people now receive the right support at the right level—close to them and based on unified criteria. The stepped-care model also clarifies roles and responsibilities for professionals.
Effective, accessible services
Alongside improving care pathways, we’ve also invested in frontline expertise: Staff at every level are now better equipped to respond to the needs of young people. As a result, our services have become both more impactful and more accessible.
Learn more about our services
Further Information about the reform
- Juha-Pekka Strömberg, Service Line Director, Mental health and substance abuse services
- Susanna Råman-Maljonen, Head of the service unit, Mental health and substance abuse services, Frontline services
- Joanna Immonen, Head of the service unit, Mental health and substance abuse services, Reception services
- Tuija Harakka, Service Line Director, Preventive and Early Support Services of the Family Centre
- Petri Luomaa, Project Manager, Services for children, youth and families
Email addresses: firstname.lastname@luvn.fi