Mental Health Support in Finland
Comprehensive guide to mental health services in Finland — accessing help, therapy options, crisis support, and workplace mental health resources.
Mental health care in Finland
Finland has a well-developed mental health support system, though navigating it can be challenging, especially for international workers. Mental health services are available through public healthcare, occupational healthcare, and private providers. Finland is increasingly open about mental health, and seeking help is encouraged. Understanding the pathways to care — from self-help resources to therapy and crisis support — helps you access the right help at the right time.
- Occupational healthcare provides the fastest route to mental health support for employees
- Public healthcare offers therapy referrals and psychiatric services at subsidized rates
- Crisis support is available 24/7 in Finnish; support in English and other languages is available at limited hours or by appointment (see mieli.fi)
How to access mental health support
There are multiple pathways to mental health support in Finland, depending on your employment status, insurance, and urgency of need.
- Occupational healthcare: your fastest option as an employee — contact your provider for a mental health assessment and short-term support
- Public healthcare: visit your terveyskeskus for a referral to municipal mental health services (mielenterveyspalvelut) — wait times vary
- Private therapists: book directly without referral — search at psykologiliitto.fi or through private healthcare provider directories
- Online self-help: Mielenterveystalo.fi (run by HUS) and mieli.fi (MIELI Mental Health Finland) offer free resources, and services like Meru Health provide app-based programs
Therapy options and costs
Finland offers various therapy modalities through different providers, with costs varying significantly based on the pathway you choose.
- Kela-supported rehabilitation therapy (kuntoutuspsykoterapia): Kela covers approximately €57-70 per session for 1-3 years if approved — significant savings
- Private therapy without Kela support: €80-150 per session for psychologists, €100-200 for psychiatrists
- Occupational healthcare short-term therapy: typically 5-10 sessions free of charge through your employer's occupational health plan
- Online therapy platforms: services like Auntie and Meru Health provide English-language digital mental health support
Crisis support and emergency services
Finland has established crisis support services available around the clock for anyone experiencing a mental health emergency.
- MIELI Crisis Helpline (Kriisipuhelin): 09 2525 0111 - open 24/7 in Finnish; the Swedish line (09 2525 0112) has limited hours. English-language crisis support is by appointment (chat, phone or video) via mieli.fi
- Emergency: call 112 for immediate danger to life — psychiatric emergency services are available at hospital emergency departments
- Sekasin chat (sekasin.fi): anonymous chat support for young people aged 12-29; check sekasin.fi for current opening hours
- Walk-in crisis centers: Helsinki and other major cities have crisis centers offering same-day support without appointment
Workplace mental health
Finnish law requires employers to support employee mental health, and workplace mental health programs have become increasingly common.
- Early support model (varhaisen tuen malli): employers must have a process for identifying and addressing work capacity concerns including mental health
- Work adjustment discussions: if mental health affects your work, you can request a three-party meeting with your supervisor and occupational health
- Burnout (työuupumus) prevention: Finnish workplace culture increasingly recognizes burnout as a serious occupational health issue
- Return-to-work support: after mental health-related sick leave, occupational healthcare provides structured return-to-work plans
Mental health tips
Taking care of your mental health in Finland is both a right and an important part of adjusting to life in a new country.
- Don't wait until crisis point — seek help early when you first notice persistent changes in mood, sleep, or motivation
- Apply for Kela rehabilitation therapy if you need long-term support — the application process takes 2-3 months but saves thousands of euros
- Cultural adjustment difficulties are a valid reason to seek therapy — the transition to Finnish life can trigger anxiety and depression in otherwise healthy people
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