Mental Health Week held in the shadow of students’ mental health crisis

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This week is Students’ Mental Health Week, aiming to address the alarming mental health situation of students and to foster a more mentally healthy learning environment in higher education communities.
Wilma Branders, ei hymyile

This week is truly necessary due to the ongoing shortage of mental health resources for young people and students in Finland and the excessively long waiting times for treatment and therapy. It is crucial that addressing the mental health crisis among young people and students is prioritized in Finland, with significant investments in well-being rather than cuts.

Psychological symptoms among students have increased throughout the 2010s and are more common than in the entire population (THL & Kela 2021). According to a student survey of Tekniikan akateemiset (TEK), nearly half of technical students are often or constantly worried about their well-being (TEK 2022). As many as 36 per cent of business students are highly dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their own psychological well-being (Suomen Ekonomit 2023). According to the health and well-being survey of higher education students, approximately 24% of all higher education students feel lonely.

’The mental health crisis among students is an issue that affects the entire future of Finland. It’s crucial to curb the rise in mental health symptoms and illbeing among young people and students. Changing the direction of student well-being requires investments instead of cuts!’ comments Member of the AYY Board Wilma Branders.

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