The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) report ‘Selviänkö tästä…?’ (Will I make it?) reveals a link between the low income and mental health difficulties of students. Based on research data, the report (published today) sheds light on the seriousness of challenges faced by students and proposes 31 policy recommendations for solving them.
The report ‘Will I make it?’ describes the link between the low, insecure income and poor mental well-being of students. Thus far, there has been no sufficient knowledge base concerning this link for political decision-making or public debate. The report shows that the same students are simultaneously experiencing insecure and low levels of income as well as presenting with clinically serious mental health symptoms.
“We’ve been talking about the mental health crisis of young people for years, and for a long time students in particular have been the group suffering the most mental health issues in our society. Although there is a need to improve mental health services, how can they be expected to solve the problem if the root causes of a decline in mental health are not addressed? In an effort to solve this problem, we prepared this report and the related policy recommendations,” says Mirka Nieminen, Board Member of the SYL Board.
The report was published today at a release event held at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, where expert and commentary speeches were delivered by Akava students, Nyyti ry and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The release event included a video greeting from the Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity, Mika Poutala, whom SYL would like to thank for his examination and acceptance of the report.
“While we were drafting the report, it became clear that the problems of income and mental health are deep and linked to each other. Unfortunately, we can’t solve these problems by taking one or even a few measures – what is needed is a comprehensive vision to safeguard the future of students. Minister Poutala has the means to improve the income security of students, as he is currently steering the preparation of the overall reform of student financial aid. We hope that this report will also provide him with constructive input in this endeavour,” says Maria Saita, Board Member of the SYL Board.
SYL has put together a total of 31 policy recommendations to alleviate student income and mental health challenges. The proposed measures are broadly linked to improving student income and mental health services, preventing problems as well as taking measures to prevent income struggles from becoming mental health challenges and vice versa.
The entire report can be viewed on the SYL website or as a pdf file.
Additional information:
Maria Saita
Board member
044 906 5004
maria.saita@syl.fi
Mirka Nieminen
Board member
044 906 5007
mirka.nieminen@syl.fi
