Help with mental health problems and suicidal thoughts – 2024-04-08 20:03:41

Every second Finn will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime, says Mieli Suomen mielterveys ry. Sometimes mental health problems manifest as suicidal thoughts.

If you notice suicidal thoughts in yourself or someone close to you, it is important not to be left alone. In addition to health care, you can also request help for discussion anonymously from various telephone services and online.

Here are a few numbers and online services to rely on. In an emergency, always call the general emergency number 112.

Support by phone

Mieli ry’s national crisis hotline can be called anonymously: 09 2525 0111. The crisis hotline is on call every day 24 hours a day in the Finnish language. Swedish-language line, Kristelefon, on 09 2525 0112. Emergency service Mon and Wed from 16:00 to 20:00 and Tue, Thurs and Fri from 09:00 to 13:00.

Crisis Helpline in English, 09 2525 0116 Fri 9am–1pm. In Ukrainian, 09 2525 0014 Mon, Wed and Thur from 12 to 16 and Tue and Fri from 8 to 13. In Russian, 09 2525 0115 Mon, Wed and Thur from 12 to 16 and Tue and Fri from 9 to 14.

For children and young people, the Children’s and young people’s phone of the Mannerheim Child Welfare Association is also open in Finnish: 116 111. The children’s and young people’s phone is on duty Mon–Fri from 14–20 and Sat–Sun from 17–20. The phone is open every day of the year. The call is completely free and does not appear on the phone bill. In Swedish: 0800 96 116 Mon–Tues 2–5 pm and Wed–Thurs 2–8 pm.

Helsinki Mission’s Aamukorva phone service for people over 60 is on duty every morning from 6 to 8 at the number 09 2312 0210.

Support online

In Tukinet, the online crisis center operated by MIELI ry, real-time Mieli crisis chats are available Mon–Wed from 15–19 and Thursday from 15–21. Through Tukinet, it is also possible to get longer, up to half a year, online chat support.

Support for young people is provided by Sekasin-chat on weekdays from 9 am to midnight and on weekends from 3 pm to midnight.

In addition, the Mannerheim Children’s Protection Association’s Children and Youth Chat is on duty online every day from 17:00 to 20:00.

More entities offering telephone and online help have been gathered on www.puheet.net.

Face-to-face support

You can also apply for support from your own health center or a private medical center.

Mieli ry also has crisis centers around Finland. You can apply to the reception without a referral, by making an appointment directly at the crisis center. Transactions can be done anonymously and the services are free of charge. See the list of crisis centers and their contact information here.

The Suicide Prevention Center provides support to those who have attempted suicide and their loved ones, as well as to the relatives of those who have committed suicide. More information here.

Help your loved ones

Although mental health disorders are quite common, shame can make it difficult to talk about mental health problems. According to Mieli ry, up to 70 percent of depression patients hide their condition because they fear, for example, separate treatment and discrimination.

Talking about suicide by a loved one can be shocking, but when a loved one talks about their suicidal thoughts, it is very important to listen and talk calmly.

Mieli ry has listed factors that increase the risk of suicide. Such are, for example, various losses in relationships or finances. Substance abuse problems, long-term and especially pain-causing diseases also increase the risk of suicide.

If someone you know is at risk of suicide, don’t leave them alone. Remove weapons, alcohol, medicines, drugs and sharp objects from his reach. Take your loved one to the hospital’s emergency room or otherwise ask for help from healthcare professionals immediately. In an emergency, call the general emergency number 112.

Also remember to take care of yourself and your own coping skills. The crisis telephones that offer support also help the loved ones of those suffering from mental health problems.

If someone you know is at risk of suicide, don’t leave them alone. MOSTPHOTOS