Finland's mental health policy and its implementation: a CSO perspective

A presentation held 16.5.2024 in Helsinki at the policy dialogue meeting between Finland and the WHO European Region.

The mental health future in Finland does not look bright. Austerity measures 2025-28 will reduce benefits, increase poverty and result in financial distress in families. Reduced access to primary health care (statutory maximum waiting time increases from two weeks to three months) and increased availability of alcohol (lowered taxes and weakening of the alcohol sales monopoly) will add to the burden. In addition, government financial support to health and social care CSOs will be reduced by 34 %. As a result of the above, population mental health is facing major challenges.

1. The gap between mental health policy and implementation - a CSO perspective WHO Policy Dialogue 16.5.2024 Kristian Wahlbeck senior advisor , MIELI Mental Health Finland Presented on behalf of Mental Health Partnership Finland

2. National Mental Health Strategy 2020–2030 Finland’s Mental Health Strategy has five focus areas: Mental health as human capital Children and young people's mental health Mental health rights Broad-based services meeting individual needs Good mental health leadership It also includes a programme for suicide prevention. Available : https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/162234

3. Stress levels are increasing Finnish mainland population , aged 15-74 years Percentage reporting tension, anxiety or sleeping difficulties due to worries Stress at moderate or higher level , %

4. Significant psychological distress , % Men Women

5. Increasing self-reported anxiety among school students Lähde: THL Kouluterveyskysely 2023 8-9th grade , boys 8-9th grade , girls High school , boys High school , girls Vocational school , boys Vocational school , girls

6. Mental health of young women : no decrease in suicide mortality Lähde: Tilastokeskuksen kuolinsyytilasto 2023 Men

7. Sickness leaves due to mental disorders are record high Alarming increase in sick leaves among women <35y Anxiety disorders Depressive disorders Sleep disorders Mood disorders excl . depression Schizophrenia spectrum Other mental disorders Number of people on long (>10 days ) sick leaves due to mental disorders 2010-2023

8. Based on the national mental health strategy , identified implementation needs include : - cross- sectoral measures to promote population mental health , especially addressing young people - improved access to early psychotherapeutic interventions in primary care - capacity building in services for children and adolescents - prevention of suicide among most vulnerable groups

9. The mental health future does not look bright Austerity measures 2025-28 will reduce benefits , increase poverty and result in financial stress in families Reduced access to primary health care ( statutory maximum waiting time increases from two weeks to three months ) Increased availability of alcohol ( lowered taxes and weakening the alcohol sales monopoly ) Government financial support to health and social care CSOs will be reduced by 34 %

10. An overlooked and threathened mental health system In spite of an excellent mental health strategy , means for implementation are largely lacking A comprehensive cross- sectoral implemantation is urgently needed in view of deteriorating population mental health and rising costs due to mental disorders Austerity is threathening services and civil society contributions A faint light in the tunnel is provided by the preparation of a whole-of-government resolution on mental health promotion

11. What do Finnish CSOs need from WHO? Civil society needs to be better acknowledged as an essential part on any mental health system Support for advocacy Comparative data on mental health systems ( access , spending ,…) Advocacy support for mental health rights based on the UN CRPD Support for promoting mentally healthy policies , especially in the fields of alcohol policy and gaming policy Exchange of best practices Participation of civil society in mental health impact assessments across sectors Large-scale mobilisation of non- health sectors in mental health promotion

12. Kiitos!