In recent years, the student mental health crisis has been widely discussed in Finland.  Increased symptoms and diagnoses, waning faith in the future, difficulties in accessing treatment and climate anxiety are only the tip of the iceberg. However, the discussion is too often limited to issues in student health care, even though the phenomenon is a much broader one.

It is underpinned by several risk factors related to the life stage and social changes, such as moving to a new location or country, academic pressure, economic instability and uncertain job prospects. Loneliness is a key stress factor, and the increase in remote learning has not made it easier to cope with this feeling.  Mental health is therefore not only a question of educational policy but also a sociopolitical and health care-related issue.

These developments are not unique to Finland. Students in higher education around the world suffer from mental health issues: according to various studies, 12–50 per cent of students in higher education around the world will experience mental health issues at least once during their studies (Li et al., 2025). The risk factors are largely the same as in Finland.  Another common factor worldwide is the increase of mental health issues among female students, which makes this topic a matter of gender equality.

In what areas has Finland succeeded? By international standards, health care structures are robust, even if there are shortcomings and room for improvement. The FSHS has developed and maintained approaches such as the HealthStart survey, guided self-care and group interventions as well as appointments with social welfare and health care professionals. Civil society organisations have also been active. For example, Nyyti ry has established the Students’ Mental Health Week, which highlights current topics each year. This year, the Students’ Mental Health Week took place between 09 March and 15 March. The theme was young people’s faith in the future. Student unions and universities also carry out their own wellbeing projects independently and in collaboration with one another.

So, what’s the problem?

The challenge lies not only in the existence of such services, but also in integrating them into the daily lives of students. Too often, support is only found after problems have already escalated.  During orientation weeks, there is variation in how wellbeing services are presented, the information remains superficial and does not become a part of the students’ daily lives. The structures that support wellbeing vary depending on the field and higher education institution, and there is no systematic monitoring throughout the entire academic journey.

At the same time, services are often developed using project funding, the continuity of which is uncertain. Budget cuts and more challenging economic circumstances are weakening students’ livelihoods and increasing stress. These are precisely the factors that, according to studies, expose people to mental health issues. An increase in remote learning, a volatile global situation and a changing labour market will further deepen uncertainty.

If we genuinely wish to address the mental health crisis, we should turn our attention from individual measures to structural aspects. We should examine how the structures that support mental health

can be better integrated into teaching, guidance and the student community, instead of treating them as separate and additional services. Simultaneously, we should boldly look beyond Finland’s borders and make use of models that have been proven effective internationally. In these models, early detection, digital intervention and practices that strengthen the community spirit are integrated as a fixed part of a higher education institution’s operations. Promoting mental health themes is not only a matter of Finnish domestic policy – action is required at the international level.

The mental health of students is not a side note in national and international politics. It is a core aspect of future competence, education policy and social sustainability.

Akseli Stång

KENKKU

References:

Li Q, Li J and Fan Y (2025) Addressing mental health in university students: a call for action.  Front. Public Health 13:1614999. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1614999

Students’ Mental Health Week Nyyti ry. https://www.nyyti.fi/en/support-and-activities/students-mental-health-week/

FSHS. Mental health treatment model involving different levels

https://www.yths.fi/en/services/mental-health-treatment-model-involving-different-levels/