From Knowledge To Action : How Finland Builds The Mental Health Service System For Refugees

OBJECTIVESThe aim is to explain how Finland has systematically built the mental health services for refugees. BACKGROUNDTwo migrant population studies conducted in Finland over this decade (Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study and Survey on work and well-being among people of foreign origin) has shown that immigrants, especially those who come to Finland as refugees or from similar conditions, experience a higher level of psychological load than general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PALOMA project (Developing National Mental Health Policies for Refugees) was launched in 2016 to tackle this wellbeing cap in the population. One outcome of the project was PALOMA handbook. The handbook includes recommendations targeted at different fields as well as methods and tools for decision-makers, supervisors and professionals for promoting refugeesu2019 mental health and preventing, identifying and treating the problems. Implementation of the recommendations on PALOMA handbook to the different fields of mental health work started in 2018. During the PALOMA project the need for national coordination and the establishment of regional centers of excellent and support on refugees mental health work was recognized. To fulfill this need the PALOMA2 project (National support system for refugee mental health work and the knowhow dissemination) started in February 2019. RESULTS As a result of the PALOMA work the mental health and mental health work with the refugees will be improved and systematically organized as a part of the Finnish regional government, health and social services reform. CONCLUSION The PALOMA work has systematically improved the mental health and mental health services of the refugees in Finland.