Targeted mental health services for children
Targeted mental health services for children are offered in Espoo, Lohja and Ekenäs/Raseborg. We are part of the service package Family Centre Services and Mental Health Services for Children within the service line Family Centre Targeted Services.
The service is intended for children attending pre-primary education and primary school (6-12-year-olds) with significant (moderate) mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, growing aggressiveness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic disorder or neuropsychiatric problems, when the child's situation needs closer examination and previous support has not been sufficient. The focus is on the child's need for support, but the family is a crucial component of the service, too.
We offer more detailed assessments of the child's situation, examinations, observations of everyday life situations, short-term focused care, psychoeducation and diagnostic assessment including medication. We also offer group-based support and work closely with other partners in matters concerning children. The work is always care-oriented, and the work period varies according to the needs of the child and the family (according to the care plan). However, the work mainly includes short interventions and is temporary. The goal is to stabilise the child's everyday life, functional capacity and family situation.
The services do not offer acute help, emergency care or take charge of situations requiring urgent consultation. Urgent cases requiring emergency care are referred to a health station (by a parent or a professional that the child encounters in everyday environments). Health station staff will then assess the need for a referral to the HUS Child Psychiatric Acute Ward.
Conditions for receiving the Service
The access to our services is possible with a referral given by a healthcare professional internally: by a psychologist in student welfare services, family counselling services or rehabilitation services, or by a school doctor or a health centre doctor. We also accept referrals from HUS. However, we do not accept referrals from the private sector. All necessary investigations, assessments and examinations to be conducted before a referral can be made need to be completed, and the support has been tested, followed up and evaluated. Before proceeding with a referral, the child's parents/guardians need to give their consent for a referral and the parents' motivation to commit to the service needs to be established. Our goal is to offer a first appointment for children and families within three months from assessing the child's need for care. The referring unit is responsible for giving support to the child and the family until they can be offered a first appointment in mental health services.Contact information
Espoo, Kirkkonummi, Kauniainen:
- Office secretary tel. 040 487 9585 (referrals and general inquiries)
- Developer-nurse tel. 040 646 6645 (referrals and client guidance)
Hanko, Inkoo, Karkkila, Lohja, Raasepori, Siuntio, Vihti:
- Office secretary tel. 044 369 1277 (general inquiries)
- Developer-nurse tel. 040 646 6645 (referrals and client guidance)