Support from organisations in mental health issues and substance abuse
Organisations offer low-threshold and cost-free help for challenges related to, for example, mental health, addiction and substance abuse.
Mental health and substance abuse organizations are important partners for us. These organizations provide peer support, meaningful activities, social contacts, and low-threshold support. Services are free of charge. Find support for yourself and your loved ones using the Wellbeing Services website and the municipal listings below.
Mental health and substance abuse organizations by municipality
- AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous, is an international community. The goal is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The activities are organized in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention. The national substance abuse counselling service offers discussion help, tel. 0800 90 045, open around the clock. The substance abuse ombudsman (in Finnish) helps and advises those seeking substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation voluntarily and their loved ones in receiving statutory services, benefits and support. The activities are in Finnish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county. Virtualemy is an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- Etelän-SYLI ry. Support, information and counselling for people with eating disorders, their loved ones and professionals. The activities are in Finnish.
- Fenix Finland Ry is a mental health association that offers free-of-charge psychological support and guidance to immigrants in difficult life situation in their own emotional language. We serve in Russian and Ukrainian nationwide. We provide peer support in your own language and discussion help provided by a professional. Participation in our activities is free of charge.
- Finfami Uusimaa ry. We serve relatives, families, and professionals in the Uusimaa region. We offer free, confidential counseling and support to anyone affected by the mental illness of a loved one. We serve in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- KRAN is a national central organization for substance abuse that has been working for vulnerable people suffering from addiction since 1982. Maintains five experts by experience clinics in the field of substance abuse. The service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- RETS –Life without crime is a Finnish foundation, national expert organization and service provider that promotes the coping and life management of people with criminal justice history and their loved ones. We offer a wide range of services to people with criminal justice history, their families and the professionals who work with them. The service is in Finnish.
- The Central Association for Mental Health (in Finnish) is a national organization for people who have experienced mental health problems. We offer open and free advice, courses, training and events. Support is provided by both experts and peers. At the core of our work is strong experiential knowledge. The service is in Finnish.
- Mieli ry. The MIELI Crisis Helpline offers conversational help in difficult life situations around the clock, tel. 09 2525 0111. The MIELI Crisis Chat(external link) offers online discussion help. Discussion help with a crisis worker, appointment booking.
- NA, or Narcotics Anonymous. Welcome to Narcotics Anonymous. You can find English speaking NA meetings. The activities are organized in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Pelituki. The nationwide telephone service for families offers help with gaming, internet and screen time issues. The game support line is available on a call-back basis Mon-Fri. Call or leave a WhatsApp message at: +358 41 731 7147. We serve in Finnish and Swedish.
- The Peluuri helpline advises and guides you in gambling problems. You can also contact us via chat. Service in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Psykosociala förbundet is a Swedish-speaking national mental health organization. Peer support, expertise from experience and anti-stigma work are at the heart of the activities. This includes, psychosocial courses, guidance and counselling work, advocacy work, the preventive school program YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health), local member associations and the Respons member magazine.
- Sininauhaliitto is a cooperation network of its member communities that helps people in difficult situations. Special expertise includes reducing the harm caused by substance abuse and gambling, addiction work, support for mental health problems, reducing long-term homelessness and social employment. The service is in Finnish.
- The Edistia Group is a social service provider and social operator formed by the Espoo Diaconia Foundation and the companies owned by it. We offer low-threshold groups and courses, as well as supported housing, communal housing and employment services for people who need support in their lives. Our operations are in Finnish.
- Espoon A-kilta Hykaa Ry. Encourages people with substance abuse problems to live a substance-free life and supports their loved ones, maintains a day centre in Leppävaara, Espoo. The activities are in Finnish and Swedish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry. Activities that support mental well-being. Emy has low-threshold meeting places in Espoo, Espoon keskus, Kivenlahti and Olari. Virtualemy is an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- Fenix Finland Ry is a mental health association that offers free-of-charge psychological support and guidance to immigrants in difficult life situation in their own emotional language. We serve in Russian and Ukrainian nationwide. We provide peer support in your own language and discussion help provided by a professional. Participation in our activities is free of charge.
- Hyvä koti ry (in Finnish) offers open, communal group activities in Espoon Keskus for those recovering from mental health issues and those who otherwise need support in mental health or everyday challenges. In the daytime group activities on weekdays, there are separate groups for young people aged 16–29 and adults aged 30–68. Everyone up to the age of 40 can join the intermediate group on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The activities are in Finnish.
- The Illusia Day Centre (Leppävaara, Espoo) offers help to adults who experience homelessness, are at risk of homelessness and actively use intoxicants. Day centres can be visited anonymously. The activities are in Finnish and English.
- Kohtaamispaikka Askel (in Finnish). The activities support coping in everyday life and enable lifestyle changes through encounters, a sense of community and doing things together. Everyone interested is welcome to participate in our communal and substance-free activities! The activities are free of charge for participants. The activities are in Finnish.
- KRAN is a national central organization for substance abuse that has been working for vulnerable people suffering from addiction since 1982. Maintains five experts by experience clinics in the field of substance abuse. The service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Manna-Apu ry is a Christian charity organization that provides food aid, promotes employment and organizes group activities. The activities are in Finnish.
- MIELI Crisis Centre Helsinki serves the entire Helsinki metropolitan area and offers short-term conversational help to support coping with the crisis. You can book an appointment with a crisis worker.
- Neighbourhood House Matinkylä (in Finnish) is a meeting place and activity space open to all in Matinkylä, Espoo (Matinkatu 7). We are a space for doing things and being together. The purpose of the neighborhood house is to bring people together and offer meaningful activities based on the needs of the residents. For us, neighborliness is a state of mind that also increases well-being and breaks down barriers. The activities are in Finnish.
- Päivänselvä ry (in Finnish). Peer support for people with substance abuse problems and their loved ones. The activities are in Finnish.
- FOLKKA:n olkkari. Folkka is a low-threshold space for group and recreational activities, for working-age and the elderly. Folkka is a meeting place that is open to everyone. In the living room, you can spend time and meet others, as well as participate in guided group activities or just hang out. Folkka is trilingual; Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Hangon katulähetys ry is a Christian association that carries out social aid and diaconal work as well as low-threshold day center activities in the Hanko city area. The activities are in Finnish and Swedish.
- Mieli ry. The MIELI Crisis Helpline offers conversational help in difficult life situations around the clock, tel. 09 2525 0111. The MIELI Crisis Chat(external link) offers online discussion help. Discussion help with a crisis worker, appointment booking.
- Inkoo’s A-kilta ry provides voluntary-based peer support activities for people with substance abuse problems, substance abuse recovery and loved ones. Inkoo A-Kilta on Facebook (external link)& https://a-kiltojenliitto.fi/info-pa-svenska/. The activities are in Finnish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Inkoo. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities in Inkoo are in Finnish and Swedish.
- Mieli ry. The MIELI Crisis Helpline offers conversational help in difficult life situations around the clock, tel. 09 2525 0111. The MIELI Crisis Chat(external link) offers online discussion help. Discussion help with a crisis worker, appointment booking.
- MIELI Crisis Centre Vihti (in Finnish) serves in Western Uusimaa and offers short-term conversational help to support coping with the crisis. You can book an appointment with a crisis worker.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Karkkila from 2026 onwards. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- A-kilta offers voluntary-based peer support for people with substance abuse problems, substance abuse recovery and their loved ones https://kirkkonummenakilta.fi/ & https://a-kiltojenliitto.fi/a-killat/. The activities are in Finnish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Kirkkonummi. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- Kirkkonummen Seudun Mielenterveysyhdistys Kisu ry. Kirkkonummi region's own association for Finnish- and Swedish-speaking mental health rehabilitees, which has a meeting place near the center of Kirkkonummi.
- Mieli ry. The MIELI Crisis Helpline offers conversational help in difficult life situations around the clock, tel. 09 2525 0111. The MIELI Crisis Chat(external link) offers online discussion help. Discussion help with a crisis worker, appointment booking.
- A-kilta offers voluntary-based peer support for people with substance abuse problems, substance abuse recovery and their loved ones: https://a-kiltojenliitto.fi/a-killat/. The activities are in Finnish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Lohja. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- Kulttuuripaja HIISI offers free-of-charge, low-threshold creative groups in Lohja and Nummela for 18–35-year-olds who have a challenging life situation or mental health challenge. The activities are based on peer support, no prior skills are required, participation is voluntary, and you can also train as a peer instructor.
- MIELI Crisis Centre Vihti (in Finnish) serves in Western Uusimaa and offers short-term conversational help to support coping with the crisis. You can book an appointment with a crisis worker.
- Mieli Lohjan mielenterveys ry (in Finnish) is an independent, tolerant and reliable organization that supports people's well-being through volunteers. The activities are in Finnish.
- Skene ry. The activities are aimed to people with a criminal background and those who use illegal intoxicants, insofar as the use is related to crime. The purpose of Skene ry's activities is to strengthen the target group's everyday life management, substance abstinence and functional and working life skills, as well as to reduce exclusion by supporting inclusion and attachment to society. The operating languages are Finnish and English.
- A-kilta offers voluntary-based peer support for people with substance abuse problems, substance abuse recovery and their loved one: https://a-kiltojenliitto.fi/a-killat/ Western Uusimaa A-Kilta has a meeting place in Karjaa. The activities are in Finnish and Swedish.
- Karjaan Ratatupa ry (in Finnish). Spending time together, peer support and meaningful leisure activities without intoxicants. Day activities for people with substance abuse problems and their families. The activities are in Finnish and Swedish.
- Clubhouse Fontana is a Finnish and Swedish-speaking clubhouse in Karjaa. Participation in daily activities is free of charge. All decisions regarding the activities are made together and the meetings are open to everyone. Clubhouses adhere to 37 standards and Fontana is regularly accredited. No referrals or diagnoses are required. Watch Fix-tv's video of Clubhouse Fontana.
- Livsgnistan rf has focused especially on peer support and expertise by experience. It is located in Raseborg, but the members of the association come from all over Finland. You can order trained experts by experience here. The activities are in Swedish.
- Mielenterveysyhdistys Kaippari ry (in Finnish). Rehabilitative and preventive mental health support in Karjaa. The activities are in Finnish.
- Mieli ry. The MIELI Crisis Helpline offers conversational help in difficult life situations around the clock, tel. 09 2525 0111. The MIELI Crisis Chat(external link) offers online discussion help. Discussion help with a crisis worker, appointment booking.
- Vänstugan i Ekenäs rf, Ekenäs Ystäväntupa. Meeting place for lunch, free shared dinner on Fridays, free morning porridge, coffee, meaningful activities, group activities, peer support, food aid. The activities are in Swedish and Finnish.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Siuntio. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- Diaconia Vihti ry (in Finnish) offers a low-threshold meeting place for young people aged 18–35 who are at risk of social exclusion in Ahteela, Nummela.
- Espoon mielenterveysyhdistys EMY ry (in Finnish). Activities that support mental well-being. Emy's Länsituuli project operates and launches new group activities in different parts of the wellbeing services county, including Vihti. Virtualemy as an online meeting place on the Discord platform. The activities are in Finnish.
- MIELI Crisis Centre Vihti (in Finnish) serves in Western Uusimaa and offers short-term conversational help to support coping with the crisis. You can book an appointment with a crisis worker.
Wellbeing services here and elsewhere
From the Wellbeing Services website, you can get support for maintaining your wellbeing. You can find meaningful activities for yourself, support for a healthy lifestyle, peer support, exercise, and much more. Additionally, you will receive tips and support for self-care as well as information about services provided by organizations and municipalities.