The Finnish curriculum approaches mental health education as an integrated part of the holistic development of students rather than as a separate subject. Mental health is woven throughout the national curriculum framework, emphasizing student wellbeing as fundamental to effective learning. Finland’s education system recognizes that emotional and social skills are just as important as academic knowledge, embedding mental health concepts across subject areas and everyday school practices.

What is the Finnish approach to mental health education?

Finland’s approach to mental health education is holistic and preventive, treating wellbeing as a foundational element of the entire educational experience rather than a separate subject. The Finnish curriculum is built on the understanding that good mental health is essential for effective learning and development, integrating emotional wellbeing into the daily fabric of school life.

This approach stems from Finland’s broader educational philosophy that values the whole child. Rather than focusing exclusively on academic achievement, the Finnish system prioritizes student happiness, wellbeing, and life satisfaction as legitimate educational goals. Mental health is seen not as an add-on but as a core component of what makes education successful.

The Finnish National Core Curriculum emphasizes seven transversal competences that run through all subject teaching, including “Taking care of oneself and managing daily life” which directly addresses mental health skills. This integration ensures that mental wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility – not just school counselors or health professionals but every teacher in every classroom.

How is mental health integrated into Finland’s national curriculum?

Mental health education is systematically embedded throughout Finland’s national curriculum through cross-cutting themes and integrated competencies rather than as a standalone subject. The curriculum includes specific learning objectives related to emotional awareness, stress management, and social skills across different subject areas and grade levels.

In primary education (grades 1-6), the curriculum emphasizes basic emotional literacy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills through subjects like Environmental Studies and Health Education. Students learn to identify and express feelings, develop basic coping strategies, and understand the connection between physical and mental wellbeing.

In lower secondary education (grades 7-9), mental health education becomes more explicit within Health Education, which is a mandatory subject. Students explore topics such as self-esteem, identity development, stress management, and healthy relationships. The curriculum also addresses challenging topics like anxiety, depression, and seeking help when needed.

Importantly, the Finnish curriculum doesn’t confine mental health education to specific lessons. Instead, it’s reinforced through everyday practices like providing adequate rest periods (the famous 15-minute breaks after each 45-minute lesson), creating physically and emotionally safe learning environments, and fostering supportive teacher-student relationships.

What specific mental health skills do Finnish students learn?

Finnish students develop a comprehensive set of mental health skills including emotional literacy, stress management, resilience building, and healthy relationship formation. The curriculum emphasizes practical competencies that students can apply in daily life situations rather than just theoretical knowledge about mental health.

Key mental health skills taught include:

• Emotional awareness and regulation – Students learn to identify, express, and manage their feelings in healthy ways
• Self-reflection and self-compassion – Developing the ability to understand oneself and practice self-care
• Stress management techniques – Practical strategies for handling pressure and preventing burnout
• Resilience and coping skills – Building capacity to bounce back from challenges and setbacks
• Social skills and conflict resolution – Developing healthy relationships and resolving disagreements constructively
• Help-seeking behaviors – Recognizing when support is needed and knowing how to access it

These skills are taught through age-appropriate activities, discussions, and exercises integrated into various subjects. For example, arts education provides opportunities for emotional expression, physical education teaches stress reduction through movement, and literature discussions explore characters’ emotional journeys and coping strategies.

How do Finnish teachers implement mental health education in classrooms?

Finnish teachers implement mental health education through a combination of explicit instruction, integrated approaches across subjects, and creating supportive classroom environments that prioritize wellbeing. Rather than treating mental health as a separate topic, educators weave relevant concepts naturally into daily teaching practices.

In practice, this means Finnish classrooms often feature:

• Regular check-ins about feelings and emotional states
• Collaborative learning activities that build social skills
• Flexible seating arrangements and learning spaces that reduce stress
• Adequate movement breaks to support mental wellbeing
• Mindfulness and relaxation practices integrated into the school day
• Open discussions about challenging emotions and life situations

Teachers in the Finnish education system receive extensive training in child development, psychology, and wellbeing as part of their master’s-level education. This preparation enables them to recognize early signs of mental health challenges and create supportive environments that prevent problems from developing or worsening.

Finnish educators also model healthy behaviors themselves, maintaining reasonable workloads and practicing self-care. This creates a consistent message that mental wellbeing matters for everyone in the school community.

What support systems exist alongside the curriculum for student mental health?

Finland provides comprehensive support structures that work in tandem with the curriculum to safeguard student mental health. Every school has a multi-professional student welfare team that includes teachers, special educators, school psychologists, social workers, and healthcare professionals who collaborate to support student wellbeing.

This support system operates on three levels:

• Universal support – Preventive measures available to all students
• Intensified support – Targeted interventions for students showing early signs of difficulties
• Special support – Comprehensive assistance for students with significant needs

Finnish schools offer free health services including regular mental health check-ups. School nurses and psychologists provide low-threshold access to professional help when needed. Additionally, the school meal program ensures all students receive nutritious food, which is recognized as an important factor in maintaining good mental health.

Community connections are also vital, with schools maintaining strong partnerships with local mental health services, youth organizations, and family support networks. This creates a safety net that extends beyond school walls to support student wellbeing in all environments.

How effective is Finland’s approach to mental health education?

Finland’s approach to mental health education shows promising outcomes in several key areas. Finnish students consistently report higher levels of school satisfaction and lower levels of school-related anxiety compared to students in many other developed countries, according to OECD data.

Research indicates that the Finnish education mental health approach contributes to:

• Better overall student wellbeing and life satisfaction
• Lower rates of bullying and school violence
• Stronger social-emotional skills among students
• Earlier identification and intervention for mental health concerns
• Reduced stigma around seeking help for mental health issues

While Finland faces challenges like any country – including increasing reports of adolescent anxiety and depression – its educational approach creates a foundation that helps address these issues effectively. The integration of mental health throughout the curriculum helps normalize conversations about emotional wellbeing and creates multiple opportunities for intervention.

The effectiveness of Finland’s model has inspired growing international interest in social-emotional learning approaches. Through our educational visits and job shadowing programs at VisitEDUfinn, educators from around the world can observe firsthand how Finnish schools implement these mental health practices and adapt elements to their own educational contexts.

By prioritizing wellbeing alongside academic achievement, the Finnish curriculum acknowledges that mental health is not an extra but an essential component of successful education – a perspective increasingly recognized globally as vital for preparing students for the complex challenges of modern life.