Mental well-being

The instruction belongs to the following themes

Do you need a friendly ear, peer support or someone to talk with? Help is at hand if you need it – many different support services are here for you.

Events concerning mental well-being
University's support services
FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) for mental health
Nyyti ry
Other support services for mental health
Supporting your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Events concerning mental well-being

This paragraph contains information about the different well-being events organised by the partners and stakeholders of the University. You can find more information about the well-being events organised by the University on the Guidance Corner page.

Students' Mental Health Day

This spring, the Student's Mental Health Day is held on 22 April. This year's theme is communality and right for help. The goal of this national Mental Health Day is to provoke conversations about students' mental health and to invite everyone to support the cause of mental well-being. Behind the scenes of the campaign is the Student Wellbeing Network (in Finnish) coordinated by Nyyti.

The Students' Mental Health Day campaign runs during 12-23 April 2021. Take part in the University's events:

  • 14 April at 12-15 A Q&A-event on the University's instagram @universityofhelsinki. Share your concerns or ask for help from university chaplains and Nyyti ry's professionals!
  • 22 April #HelpWorthy -Instagram challenge on the University's instagram @universityofhelsinki. If you wish, you can participate by sharing your own thoughts and experiences on seeking help. By being open you also give others a much-needed space to feel #Helpworthy.
Study stress and exhaustion- webinaari 23.4. klo 12.15-13.30

Opintopsykologien pitämä englanninkielinen webinaari kestää n. 1 h 15 minuuttia ja lopussa on varattu aikaa kysymyksille. Webinaarin kuvaus englanniksi:

Feeling stuck and alone? Experiencing challenges with getting things done? Have you started to feel like nothing you do in your studies is good enough?
Welcome to join the Study Psychologists’ webinar about study stress and exhaustion. The intention of the webinar is to share general observations and experiences of the influences that the prolonged pandemic and remote studies has had on students, with a special emphasis on strategies to cope and support wellbeing in studies.

The event is organized as a part of Nyyti ry:s national campaign on Students’ Mental Health Day. The theme of this year’s campaign is communality and the right for help. Read more about the campaign on Nyyti association's website.

The webinar takes place on Friday 23.4 at 12:15-13:30 in Zoom. The webinar will include presenter content and time at the end for Q&A.

The session will be held in English and a recording of the webinar will be available online (on this page) afterwards. The Q&A-session will not be included in the recording and participants of the webinar will not be visible in the recording. No registration to the webinar is required beforehand. You are warmly welcome to join just by showing up!

Join by the link below:

https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/66789548750?pwd=S1VLQTduQ2R2bWVmS3k0VS8zdEhmdz09
Meeting ID: 667 8954 8750
Passcode: 805721

University chaplains

We can get through anything- university chaplains' discussions will be organised at Crypt and Zoom during 24.3.-26.5.2021. Read more information about the events from the University chaplain's pages.

University's support services

Study psychologists

The study psychologists offer guidance and counselling to bachelor’s and master’s degree students regarding issues such as academic skills, motivation, time management, well-being and thesis writing. Read more information from the Study psychologists' instruction pages. 

University chaplains

The university chaplains are available to everyone from the university community and are ready to listen to whatever you need to talk about; studies and work, relationships and loneliness, stress, anxiety or spiritual matters. The university chaplains offer a safe space for everyone, regardless of your religious conviction, gender or sexual orientation. Read more from the University chaplains' instruction pages.

FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) for mental health

FSHS (Finnish Student Healt Service) provides mental health services for Bachelor and Master's level students who are members of the Student Union. Public health nurses, GPs, psychiatric social workers and specialized registered nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists are there to help you with any mental health-related issues. The services are open on weekdays. 

Note! Read about FSHS instructions on how to consult and take care during the Coronavirus epidemic.

Nyyti ry

Nyyti is a support centre for students. It promotes and supports students’ mental health, life management and study skills. Its activities and services are available to all university students.

Students are offered targeted preventative care, such as group chats and NyytiTalks on stress, exhaustion, anxiety and life management challenges. In the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Nyyti also organises theme nights, groups and courses. One of the most popular courses is the life skills course, which can also be viewed online.

Read more about Nyyti's services and activities on Nyyti ry's website.

Other support services for mental health

When you need someone to talk to you can also contact the following services

Supporting your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

The changes in everyday life due to the Coronavirus outbreak may cause worry and anxiety. In this bulletin we have listed service providers and websites that can help you and give support in your worries caused by the situation. This chapter is updated regularly.

Tips to supporting mental well-being

  1. Avoid speculation and rumours that may cause more anxiety. Follow reliable sources of information.
    - You can find up-to-date information for example on Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare.
    - On the Instructions for Students Q&A page, you can find University’s instructions for studying during the coronavirus outbreak.
    - It is also recommended that you check your email regularly.
  2. Follow the given recommendations about staying at home and hygiene advice. Remember to wash your hands and take care of hygiene, whether you feel ill or not.
  3. It’s recommended to keep the everyday routines similar to normal everyday life. It’s important to remember to keep a healthy diet, have enough exercise and rest. You can get help from the some services listed on this page.
  4. Try to manage how much you follow the media during this time. It is wise to stay informed but remember to balance the information flow as it may also cause more anxiety.
  5. Stay connected. In a time of stress it may be easier to work when you are in touch (also remotely) with your family or friends. You can also contact the professionals listed on this page.

How do we maintain our mental well-being in the midst of the exceptional circumstances brought about by the coronavirus outbreak?

We compiled the questions and answers submitted by University staff and students to the on-line event on resilience held on 2 April. Read them in the University's Flamma intranet.

Guidance corner's Well-being Tuesdays' events offer support for studies and student well-being. See the Well-being Tuesdays' instruction page.

Study psychologists offer support in challenges in studying distantly

In addition to worry and anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak, shifting to study distantly may prove to be challenging. You may face challenges in finding structure in your daily life, courses get cancelled or transferring of courses on-line does not go smoothly. You may also need to opt out from courses because of family situation for example. When you are able to find suitable solutions to studying distantly, it can help you to deal with this exceptional situation and possible anxiety by directing your thoughts into a meaningful action. It is worth to spend some time to look for means to support your distant learning.

The study psychologists have gathered some tips to help with distant learning in the Support for studies instruction page. You can also book a time for distant guidance. You can find a link for booking a counselling time at the Study psychologists instruction page. With study psychologists you can share your concerns and think of what kind of studying is possible for you during this time and how that can be done in practice.

University chaplains are here for you during the Coronavirus pandemic

You don’t have to be alone. When you as a member of the university community

  • desire confidential conversation, pastoral counselling or prayer
  • feel the need to reflect upon life’s big questions (e.g. the meaning of life, hope and hopelessness, loneliness, insecurity)
  • are isolated and need help

Please contact University chaplains. The chaplains are there for all members of the university community regardless of their faith and convictions. Contact information:

Join the new communal online platform Discord

The University of Helsinki's Student Union has set up a communal platform on Discord. You can find peer support on various themes there. You can log in to the platform from this invitation link.

Other service providers supporting mental well-being

Mindfulness and relieving stress

Mindfulness is being fully present, being aware of where we are and what we are doing by not judging any thoughts, feelings or anything else. It’s paying attention purposefully to a certain stimulus in a way that you don’t have to react to it.  Mindfulness is being not too overwhelmed or reactive by what is happening around us. On times like this, it’s good to have a moment to calm down and be aware of the moment the way it is.

According to research, practicing mindfulness is a way to effect on your well-being. It can help control stress and anxiety when practiced regularly, preferably 10 minutes a day for a month. So if you don’t feel any changes after a few mindfulness exercises, don’t worry. Just keep practicing, and your stress might be relieved.

Nyyti ry has compiled a couple of good mindfulness exercises, which you can find on Spotify:

Keep physically active!

  • Every student and staff member is able to download the Break Pro break exercise program to help and motivate taking breaks from work and sitting at the desk. The Break Pro program is free of charge. Exercises can be done wherever, even in a small space. Read more on the Unisport pages on the Instructions for students!