Student wellbeing services outside of the University: national and local actors

The services of FSHS (or YTHS in Finnish) are available for international students who are enrolled in JYU's Master's degree programmes. FSHS’s services are not available for exchange students. Here are some of the services offered:

• Public Health Nurse. The public health nurse will often be your first treatment contact at the FSHS. With a public health nurse, you can discuss your concerns about your health and your ability to study. The nurse will look at your situation and will provide you with health advice and guidance for the prevention and treatment of illnesses. The nurse can also issue short-term sick leave certificates for your place of study.
• Psychiatric Nurse. After your need for treatment has been assessed, you can be referred to a psychiatric nurse if your problem concerns mental health or substance abuse. The psychiatric nurse will look at the situation with you, offer you treatment and support, and guide your self-care.
• General Practitioner. To see a general practitioner, you usually need a referral by a public health nurse or psychiatric nurse, but sometimes you can get an immediate appointment after the assessment of your need for treatment. The general practitioner will take care of all matters related to your health and/or illness. These include mental health problems. The general practitioner will carry out basic examinations and provide treatment, issue study-related medical certificates, and statements, and if necessary refer you for additional examinations or an appointment with a psychologist, physiotherapist, or specialist.
• Psychiatrist. A general practitioner can refer you to a psychiatrist if you have problems with mental health or substance abuse that require specialist assessment in terms of diagnosis, creating a treatment plan, or the treatment itself. The psychiatrist will perform a psychiatric evaluation consisting of an interview, questionnaires, and laboratory examinations. Together you will create the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan. During the early stages of treatment, the psychiatrist may monitor your treatment response at follow-up visits.
• Psychologist. A general practitioner or a psychiatrist will refer you to a psychologist if you need short-term therapy or psychological assessment. Short-term therapy is mainly based on discussions, and its framework will be agreed upon immediately at the start of treatment.
• Sex counselor. If you have problems with sexuality, gender identity, or your sex life, healthcare professionals can refer you to a sex counselor. Sex counseling usually takes the form of remote consultation. You can have 1 to 5 appointments for sex counseling.

For treatment need assessments and appointments, you can contact the Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS). Call their nationwide service numbers during service hours Mon–Thu 8 am–3 pm and Fri 8 am–2 pm, or use Self online service.

• General and mental health services +358 46 710 1073
• Oral health services +358 46 710 1085
• Self online service

Read more about treatment need assessments and their callback service

Visit FSHS

If FSHS is closed, please contact primarily your Local Health Care Center, during business days from Monday to Thursday between 8 AM and 4 PM, and on Fridays between 9 AM and 4 PM.

Read more on health services

To get help in crises related to life situations and trauma, please contact the Crisis Centre Mobile for 24/7 support. They help you in difficult life situations and traumatic crises. For example, when:

• you have experienced a shocking situation
• you feel alone with your problems
• you feel that you are stuck in a difficult life situation
• you wish to talk with a professional helper

You can contact the Crisis Centre Mobile by phone 24 hours a day: 014 266 7150, address Asemakatu 2 (2nd floor), 40100 Jyväskylä.

MIELI is a non-governmental organization that offers support and raises awareness of mental health issues. They have a crises helpline that is available in English on:

• Monday and Wednesday from 4 PM to 8 PM
• Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM

Phone number: 09 2525 0113

Read more about MIELI

Emergency Social Services answer to immediate need for help 24 hours a day. The service organizes immediate and necessary social services for people of all ages. Anyone can contact the service when needing help or noticing someone else needs immediate help. Emergency social services are free of charge.

For contacts and more information, see:

Jyväskylä social services

Nyyti ryis a national Finnish non-profit organization that supports students’ mental health and ability to study. Nyyti's Group online chats are available to discuss different topics that can affect a student’s everyday life and studies. Nyyti’s Chat is a place for sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences. Chat is also anonymous and free of charge. There will always be Nyyti’s volunteers or employees at the chat with you. Chats have different themes, including financial worries, self-care, loneliness and study skills. 

Check the latest information and upcoming events on their website

The Youth Center brings together youth services to make it easier for young people aged 13-29 and young adults to find the help and support they need for different situations in life. 

Walk-in service

• The Walk-in service at the Youth Center is available without an appointment from Monday to Friday. Walk-in offers help with issues such as mental health and substance abuse, education and training, employment, leisure, income, housing, support applications and many other issues. For more detailed opening hours, contact details and a weekly schedule of available staff, see the: 

  Youth Center’s website

  *Website available only in Finnish

Ohjaamo

• The One-Stop Guidance Center Ohjaamo is a place for all people under 30 years old where you can get help in matters related to work, education, and everyday life, including housing and welfare. The service is free of charge. You are welcome to the One-Stop Guidance Centers just as you are, in any situation! 

• In Jyväskylä, the center has several services available in English. Individual counseling is available in English for all the services listed on their website. Tuesday Help is especially available for young migrants on Tuesdays and there is a person there who can help you in English and in Russian. 

• As for group activities, all groups are such that English speakers are also welcome. For more information on current events, always check Ohjaamo’s social media channels: Instagram (@ohjaamojyvaskyla).

  Read more about Ohjaamo

Youth Counseling (for 13-22-year-olds) 

You can seek help for mental health and substance abuse issues at the youth counseling center. Social and healthcare professionals work at the youth counseling center, and they provide individualized support based on your needs, preferences, and life situation. If necessary, a doctor will conduct a diagnostic examination to plan the necessary treatment.

Learn more about Youth Counseling

*Website available only in Finnish

• The Counselling Centre for Family Matters offers professional counseling and support on issues related to relationships, family, and other private matters. The counseling sessions can be attended individually (45 minutes), as a couple (75 minutes), or as a family. The sessions will be held an average of five. The counseling is confidential, free of charge, and is available for those living in Jyväskylä or Keski-Suomi region.

• You can apply for counseling by phone on (014) 334 7800. Phone reservations and inquiries are accepted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 12 PM and 2.30 PM. 

• Visiting address: Matarankatu 1, 40100 Jyväskylä. 

Read more on their website

Multicultural Center Gloria is a place for different people and cultures to meet. Together with the visitors, Gloria organizes multicultural activities for all the citizens of Jyväskylä. Gloria has lots of activities for the whole family. They also arrange peer groups to give you the opportunity to meet people who may have shared similar experiences related to, e.g, language, cultural background or life situation. In addition, Gloria organizes lunches, crafts groups, cultural events and talent nights. 

Check their website for the most up-to-date information

7 Cupsis a free online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling. 7 Cups also offers free-for-service online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. Anyone who wants to talk about whatever is on their mind can quickly reach out to a trained, compassionate listener through their network. They have hundreds of listeners who come from all walks of life and have diverse experiences. The service/website is also offered in Spanish. 

Read more about the current service on their website

HelsinkiMissio is a social-sector organisation dedicated to combating loneliness and supporting various groups including young people and students. HelsinkiMissio offers free of charge remote counselling across Finland, with services being available also in English. With a trained professional, young people are free to confidentially talk about anything that feels significant or difficult in their lives.

Read more about services offered on their website

• The TE services offer you expert assistance when you are looking for a job or considering your career choices.
• Psychologists at the TE Offices can help you find solutions to questions concerning career choices, work, or education and training. They will work together with you to examine your capabilities, objectives and options regarding education, training and working life. 
• Service is free of charge, but in many cases you are asked to make an appointment. 
• Some TE services for young adults are provided through the One-Step Guidance Center (Ohjaamo), but you can also apply directly to your local TE -Office by making an appointment. 

Read more on their website

Financial aid for studies pursued in Finland is available to Finnish citizens and, under certain conditions, to citizens of other countries. Students coming to Finland from abroad are not, as a rule, eligible for financial aid. Students can get financial aid from Kela for post-comprehensive school education. Kela also helps when you have not yet found a place to study or a job, and even when everything is in a mess. 

• The main way to contact KELA is through OmaKela or by phone. 

Read more on Kela's website

Töissä.fi is a service that provides information and tips on how graduates from the Universities and the Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland could find jobs more easily. Töissä.fi offers statistical information about jobs, professions, incomes and more. The site also has hundreds of stories written by professionals in many different fields, that give students an idea about the working life: what kind of skills are needed, what kind of tasks typical workday is made of, how to apply for jobs etc. You can also share your own story and help students to discover their options. 

Learn more on Töissä.fi

As mentioned previously, also Ohjaamo offers career related support. 

Read more on their website

(Website is available only in Finnish)

International Jyväskylä – Info Center is a multilingual service point, where one can get guidance and counseling on topics related to everyday living in 16 different languages.

International Jyväskylä – Info Center provides information on

• living
• working
• studying
• residence permit
• social services and health care
• leisure time activites
• and many other topics

The objective of this service is to support the integration of internationals by providing information and counseling at the right time and by directing them to relevant services. Service is free of cost and confidential. The service can be used on a walk-in basis or by appointment.

Read more

InfoFinland is a multi-language website providing vital information to people planning to move to Finland and to immigrants already living in the country. The website also helps authorities with multi-language communications. InfoFinland offers users reliable information about moving to Finland, studying, work, housing, education, health, family and leisure activities. 

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Suomi.fi Web Service helps and guides citizens in different life situations. In Suomi.fi, you will find information, guides and services to take care of matters such as moving to Finland, studying, working life and unemployment,housing, having a family, rights and obligations. Suomi.fi Web Service helps and guides citizens handling everyday matters with public authorities and organisations of general interest. After identification into Suomi.fi, you can also communicate with different organizations, grant and request mandates and check the data registered on you. 

Find out more on their website

Studyinfo.fi is the official and up-to-date website with all the information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland. At Studyinfo.fi you can find information on different degrees and qualifications and learn about studies in educational institutions in Finland. The service can be used to find different study options and apply for the studies online. 

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