Trauma
Psychological injury resulting from an overwhelming stressful or frightening experience.
Trauma can result from a single shocking event or from repeated harmful experiences.
Traumatic experiences can include
- Accidents
- Violence or abuse
- War or refugee experiences
- Sudden loss of a loved one
- Childhood neglect
Symptoms of trauma
- Flashbacks and nightmares
- Avoidance behavior
- Hypervigilance and startle response
- Emotional numbness
Treatment
According to the Finnish Current Care guideline on PTSD (updated 30 June 2026), first-line treatment is trauma-focused psychotherapy, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and EMDR.
If you are in immediate danger or have thoughts of suicide, call 112. For crisis support, call the MIELI Crisis Helpline on 09 2525 0111 (in Finnish, 24/7). More help: crisis help.
Reactions after trauma
After a traumatic event it is common to have sleep problems, nightmares, to be easily startled, or to avoid things related to the event. For many, the reactions ease with time. If the symptoms continue for more than a month or interfere with life, a professional's assessment is needed.
Where to get help?
Help for trauma is available from the health centre, occupational health and mental health services. Special psychotherapy methods have been developed for treating trauma, and well-known ones include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR. The choice of method is made together with a professional. In acute distress, call the emergency number 112.
Kela reimbursement and further information
If the trauma involves a diagnosed mental disorder, Kela may reimburse rehabilitative psychotherapy when its conditions are met. The conditions, required statements and how to apply are on Kela's website: Rehabilitative psychotherapy. You can check a psychotherapist's right to use the title in the JulkiTerhikki register.