Finnish schools are internationally recognized for their comprehensive approach to student wellbeing, with mental health support being a fundamental component of the educational system. Mental health services in Finnish schools operate through a multi-tiered support framework that combines preventive measures with intervention strategies. The system integrates professionals from various disciplines, curriculum-based wellbeing education, and specialized programs designed to create a supportive learning environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically.

What mental health professionals are available in Finnish schools?

Finnish schools employ a diverse team of mental health professionals working collaboratively to support student wellbeing. At the core of this system are school psychologists who assess learning difficulties, provide counseling, and develop intervention strategies for students experiencing psychological challenges. These professionals typically hold master’s degrees in psychology with specialized training in educational psychology.

Working alongside psychologists are school social workers (koulukuraattori) who address social and family-related issues affecting students’ wellbeing. They serve as vital links between schools, families, and external support services, helping to resolve conflicts and improve students’ social environments.

Every Finnish school also has school nurses who conduct regular health checks and serve as first-contact professionals for many mental health concerns. They perform preliminary assessments and refer students to appropriate specialists when needed. In larger schools and municipalities, the team may include school counselors who provide guidance on educational paths while supporting students’ overall wellbeing.

These professionals operate within a collaborative framework called the Student Welfare Group (oppilashuoltoryhmä), which meets regularly to discuss student concerns and coordinate support measures. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that mental health support is comprehensive and tailored to individual student needs.

How is mental health support integrated into the Finnish curriculum?

Mental health education is woven throughout the Finnish national curriculum rather than treated as a separate subject. The curriculum explicitly emphasizes wellbeing competencies as central learning objectives across all educational levels. These competencies include emotional awareness, stress management, and social skills development.

In primary education, teachers incorporate mental health topics through subjects like Environmental Studies and Health Education, where children learn about emotions, self-care, and healthy relationships. As students progress to lower secondary school (grades 7-9), Health Education becomes a dedicated subject with specific modules on mental wellbeing, including understanding mental health conditions, coping strategies, and when to seek help.

The curriculum also promotes wellbeing through its emphasis on phenomenon-based learning, which reduces academic pressure by focusing on holistic understanding rather than standardized testing. This approach naturally supports mental health by reducing stress and encouraging collaboration.

Additionally, Finnish schools implement daily practices that support mental wellbeing, such as regular outdoor breaks (typically 15 minutes after each 45-minute lesson), which research shows benefits mental health. The physical learning environment is also designed with wellbeing in mind, featuring comfortable, flexible spaces that reduce anxiety and promote positive social interactions.

What preventive mental health programs exist in Finnish schools?

Finnish schools implement several evidence-based preventive mental health programs, with the KiVa anti-bullying program being among the most prominent. Developed at the University of Turku, KiVa combines classroom activities, digital learning, and intervention protocols that have reduced bullying by up to 40% in participating schools. The program teaches empathy, group dynamics, and bystander intervention strategies.

Another widely implemented initiative is the Friends program, which helps students develop anxiety management and emotional regulation skills. This cognitive-behavioral approach teaches practical coping strategies through age-appropriate activities and has shown significant effects in reducing anxiety symptoms.

Many Finnish schools also use the Lions Quest program to develop social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. This curriculum focuses on building self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and positive relationships through regular classroom activities.

For adolescents, the Youth Mental Health First Aid training equips teachers and school staff to recognize early warning signs of mental health challenges and respond appropriately. This program has been particularly effective in early identification of students at risk for depression and anxiety.

These preventive programs are supported by school-wide wellbeing structures, including regular class discussions about social dynamics, designated “wellbeing weeks” that focus on mental health awareness, and student participation in planning school activities that promote positive community atmosphere.

How do Finnish schools identify students who need mental health support?

Finnish schools employ a systematic approach to identifying students who may need mental health support, beginning with universal screening. School nurses conduct comprehensive health examinations (terveystarkastus) for all students at key grade levels, which include standardized wellbeing assessments and discussions about mental health.

Teachers play a crucial role in early identification through their daily observations. Finnish teacher education includes extensive training in recognizing behavioral changes and emotional difficulties that might indicate mental health concerns. The small class sizes (typically 20-25 students) and long-term relationships between teachers and students (often staying with the same teacher for several years) enhance teachers’ ability to notice subtle changes in student wellbeing.

Finnish schools also implement self-reporting systems that allow students to express concerns about their own mental health. These include anonymous digital wellbeing questionnaires, “worry boxes” where students can leave notes about their concerns, and regular individual check-in conversations with school staff.

The Student Welfare Group reviews identified concerns during regular meetings, determining appropriate support measures based on a three-tiered model: general support available to all students, intensified support for those with emerging issues, and special support for students with significant mental health challenges.

What happens when a Finnish student experiences a mental health crisis?

When a Finnish student experiences a mental health crisis, a well-defined response protocol is activated. The immediate response typically involves the school nurse or psychologist conducting an initial assessment to determine the severity of the situation. For acute crises, the student is never left alone, and parents are promptly notified unless doing so would endanger the student.

Finnish schools maintain close connections with external healthcare services, allowing for seamless referrals to specialized mental health providers when necessary. In urgent situations, students can be directly referred to adolescent psychiatric services (nuorisopsykiatria) or crisis intervention teams without lengthy waiting periods.

Following a crisis, the school develops a return-to-school plan in collaboration with healthcare providers, parents, and the student. This plan may include temporary adjustments to academic expectations, scheduled check-ins with support staff, and gradual reintegration into school activities.

The Finnish approach emphasizes continuity of education even during mental health treatment. When students require extended absence for mental health reasons, schools provide distance learning options and maintain regular contact to ensure academic progress continues alongside recovery.

Throughout this process, Finnish schools maintain strict confidentiality while ensuring that teachers receive appropriate information to support the student effectively. This balanced approach protects student privacy while creating a supportive classroom environment for recovery.

Understanding these comprehensive mental health support systems in Finnish education provides valuable insights for educators worldwide. We at VisitEDUfinn offer opportunities to observe these practices firsthand through our educational visits and job shadowing programs, allowing international educators to learn from Finland’s successful approach to student wellbeing.