We invite your media representatives to the House of the Estates on 19 April from 3 pm to 4 pm to report on the student mental health day event “Mielenterveyskriisi – opiskelijaelämän nurja puoli” (“the mental health crisis – the downside of student life”). The purpose of the protest is to remind political decision-makers of the importance of adequate funding for the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS).

The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and the National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK) are holding a student mental health day event on Wednesday 19 April from 3 pm to 4 pm near the House of the Estates at Snellmaninkatu 9-11, 00170 Helsinki. Similar events are also being held in other localities.

The theme of the protest is the mental health crisis that creates a dark side to life for students in institutes of higher education. To symbolise the shady side of student life, we will be wearing our student overalls inside out. In line with the themes of the students’ mental health day on Wednesday 19 April, we are calling for more funding for the FSHS.

Research shows that mental health problems are more common among higher education students than among the rest of the adult population. The mental health crisis can be seen in a significant increase in demand for mental health services at the FSHS, and there is no sign of a return to the old normal. The ongoing crisis and under-resourcing of mental health services must be taken seriously. FSHS remains well within the treatment time guarantee, but long internal waiting lists will not be resolved without an increase in core funding. To ensure access to treatment for students, we need adequate resourcing for the FSHS.

Further information:

Sonja Naalisvaara
sonja.naalisvaara@syl.fi
+358 44 906 5003