Wellbeing for families and young people
Mental health or substance use problems in a family with children
In everyday life, families with children may face mental health challenges or problems related to substance use, which affect the wellbeing of the entire family.When everyday life feels overwhelming – support for mental health and substance use challenges in families with children
Your circumstances may be complex and burdensome, but you do not have to work through it alone. In Finland, several actors—such as municipalities, organisations and parishes—provide a wide range of support, counselling and peer support for parents, children and young people. Getting help early can support the family in finding renewed resilience, in strengthening parenting, and building a safe everyday life in which every family member has an opportunity to feel well.
Find mental health and substance use services
Omaperhe.fi provides information, support and guidance
Content on Omaperhe.fi can be translated into over 200 languages using Google Translate (cookies must be accepted first).
Omahelpperi – information for young people
Content on Omahelpperi.fi can be translated into over 200 languages using Google Translate (cookies must be accepted first).
Self-help programmes
- Mielenterveystalo.fi – self-help programme for parents of a child with mental health symptoms (Finnish/Swedish only)(external link) information and exercises for parents whose child is experiencing mental health symptoms. The programme is free of charge, can be used anonymously, and includes:
- information on symptoms and their impact on the family
- exercises to support parenting
- tools for maintaining change over time
- Terveyskylä.fi – Nuoren mielenterveys(external link) information about mental health in adolescence and links to self-help programmes designed for young people.
Services and support from organisations
- MIELI ry(external link) - Mental Health Finland (MIELI ry) provides crisis support for families with children, young people and parents. Services include:
- a crisis helpline and crisis chat: low-threshold conversation support
- crisis centres: the possibility to book an appointment for a discussion
- a support relationship service: support in difficult life situations
- Mielenterveyden keskusliitto(external link) offers advice and support for mental health challenges. The advice line also serves young people and families. The services complement public healthcare and are available nationwide.
- Nuortenlinkki – Mental health and substance use services for young people(external link) provides information and guidance for young people aged 13–24 and for people close to them. The services complement public healthcare and include:
- conversation-based support/counselling and therapy
- guidance and counselling
- support with different family-related circumstances
- the option of individual, group or family meetings
- Skene ry (external link)- support for young people and their loved ones in leaving substance use and criminal environments behind
Support from organisations for children and young people
- Fragile childhood(external link) | Are you worried about your parents’ substance abuse?
- MIELI Mental Health Finland(external link)| support and help
- Apuu-chat (external link)| SOS Children’s Villages Finland
- Sekasin-chat(external link) | Chat open Mon–Fri 9–24, Sat–Sun 15–24
- Walk-in therapy (external link)| Nuortenlinkki walk-in therapy on Tuesdays 17–19
- Nuortenlinkin chat(external link) | Chat open Mon 15–17 and Wed 13–15
- Nuortennetti(external link)| Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL)
- Netari(external link)| Finland’s only online youth house!
- Lasten ja nuorten puhelin (in Finnish and Swedish)(external link) | Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL)
- Nettiturvis (external link)| Finnish Red Cross
- Students' mental health | Nyyti ry(external link)