Student mental health: KOTT 2024 and the path to help

The Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT 2024) was conducted in spring 2024, with 3,600 university and university of applied sciences students aged 18–34 participating across Finland. Significant psychological distress affected 29% of students (down from 35% in 2021). For women the figure was 32%, down from 40% in 2021 (FSHS 2024).

Anxiety disorder was diagnosed in the past 12 months in 23% of female and 10% of male students. Depression diagnosis: women 18%, men 12%. Social anxiety affected 34% overall, and 45% of 18–21-year-old women (THL KOTT 2024). Nearly two-thirds of those needing help received insufficient mental health support from FSHS in the past 12 months.

This guide covers the student paths to help: institution psychologist, FSHS, health centre, the therapy guarantee, and Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy.

Why student years are particularly heavy

Student years involve many simultaneous transitions: moving away from the childhood home, financial uncertainty, identity-seeking, demanding studies, rebuilding relationships, and pressure of career choices. All this hits a developmental phase when many mental health conditions appear for the first time: many depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar, and eating disorders typically begin between 15 and 25.

The pandemic increased student isolation and loneliness, and although KOTT 2024 shows the burden has fallen, it remains high. Social comparison, social media pressure, and money worries are often amplifiers.

The student path to help

Finland has built dedicated support structures for students worth using.

The primary mental health service for university and UAS students is FSHS: Finnish Student Health Service (yths.fi). At FSHS you access doctor, nurse, and psychologist services and get referrals to specialised care. Brief psychologist visits are the most typical form of mental health help at FSHS. For long-term psychotherapy, FSHS does not provide the service but helps apply for Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy.

Upper-secondary and other institution students have student welfare services: psychologist, social counsellor, and school nurse. These are free and low-threshold.

The therapy guarantee, an objective of the national mental health strategy, also concerns students: the aim is short psychotherapeutic or other effective psychosocial treatment within a month of need being identified. Implementation varies by region, and it works through your own health centre or FSHS.

Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy is one of the most important forms of long-term support for students aged 16 to 67. It requires that your ability to work or study is threatened by a mental health disorder, that you have been in appropriate care for at least 3 months, and that a psychiatrist has written you a B statement. Kela covers up to 80 sessions per year and up to 200 sessions over three years. The reimbursement for individual therapy is 57.60 euros per session, so out-of-pocket costs are often €20–60 per session. The therapist must be a Kela-approved provider. Current conditions and reimbursement amounts are at kela.fi.

Most common challenges and treatments

For anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective first-line method. Brief CBT-based interventions are available at FSHS and health centres. Mielenterveystalo's self-help programmes (mielenterveystalo.fi) are free and evidence-based.

For social anxiety, exposure is central. Group treatment is usually effective, available at FSHS and specialised care.

For depression, combination of medication + therapy is most effective for moderate to severe. In mild depression, psychotherapy alone may suffice.

Insomnia, common in students, is treated primarily with CBT-I, not medication.

Practical tips worth trying

Regular sleep is a simple but effective mood-supporter. Day structure (consistent times for waking, eating, studying) helps especially when life feels chaotic. Exercise at least a few times a week is research-shown to be as effective as mild medication in mild depression. Social connection is protective: loneliness amplifies all symptoms.

Limiting substance use, especially during depressive symptoms, matters: alcohol worsens sleep quality and depression the following day.

Where to get help

FSHS for university and UAS students (yths.fi). Institution psychologist for other students. Your own health centre under the therapy guarantee. Mielenterveystalo's self-help programmes (mielenterveystalo.fi). Sekasin chat (sekasin247.fi) for anonymous conversation. In acute crisis, MIELI crisis line 09 2525 0111 or 112. Kela's provider registry to find rehabilitative psychotherapy.

Sources

• FSHS: Psychological distress decreased 2024
• THL KOTT 2024: Mental health and service adequacy
• FSHS website
• Mielenterveystalo

Where to find a therapist

You can look for a therapist in several places:

• Search services run by the Finnish Psychological Association (Psykologiliitto) and professional bodies.
• Kela's service provider search, if you are applying for rehabilitative psychotherapy (only Kela-approved therapists qualify for reimbursement).
• The Valitse Terapia service and other directories.
• Your own health centre, occupational health service or student health service (YTHS), which can refer you onward.

You can contact several therapists and see with whom the collaboration feels natural.