Wellness

According to the Higher Education Students’ health study (KOTT 2016) every third university student has mental issues during their studies. The same study says that students were hoping for help and support with issues regarding studies and mental challenges.

Haaga-Helia’s student survey got the same kind of results in 2017 – 16 percent of students didn’t know about Haaga-Helia’s wellbeing services.
Because of these results Student Union Helga produced a Year of Wellness campaign which was meant to give information about different wellbeing services and improve the wellbeing of UAS students. In this page we have collected information about different wellbeing services you can use as a UAS student.

You can also read about Haaga-Helia’s wellness services on MyNet!

Where can I get help if I need it?

Finnish Student Health Service FSHS

The purpose of the FSHS is to provide student health services, as stipulated in the Health Care Act, for those studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a university or other institution of higher education.

Student healthcare services include the following:

  • checks on health and safety aspects of the study environment in educational institutions and welfare promotion among learning communities, together with monitoring
  • monitoring and promotion of students’ health and welfare and fitness to study
  • health checks according to individual needs
  • provision of health and medical care services
  • mental health and substance abuse services
  • promotion of sexual health
  • oral health care
  • early identification of any special needs and tests required by students, support, and, if necessary, referral for further tests or treatment

Psychiatric nurse and study psychologist

The purpose of Haaga-Helia’s preventive services is to support the progress of studies, students’ wellness and mental coping. Student’s situation is evaluated at the reception, and new points of view will be looked for. The service is preventive and time-limited, and is meant for the students on all Haaga-Helia campuses.

Psychiatric nurse guides and supports students with mental wellness and matters relating to their life situations. The aim is to support students’ positive performance and mental health. If the situation requires, students can be forwarded to a doctor. The discussions are confidential and free for students.

The services are meant for students, who are facing a life situation crisis or mental symptoms for the first time in their life. If you have (had) a prior treatment contact, please contact public healthcare services again.

Nyyti ry

Nyyti ry is a national Finnish non-profit organization, which purpose is to support students’ mental health. Their activities include, for example, discussion groups and life skills courses.

Crisis helpline in English, call +3589 2525 0113 on Mon, Tue at 11-15, Wed at 13-16 and 17-21, Thu at 10-15.

You can also find a comprehensive list of mental health services available to students on Nyyti’s website.

Specialist Help

Have you experienced accessibility problems or unequal treatment in Haaga-Helia? Let us know by filling out our Specialist Assistance form. Describe your problem clearly and concretely. From the form, the information is passed on to our experts, after which they will contact you and help you solve the situation or problem.

In cases of discrimination and harassment, you can also contact Helga’s harassment contact person (hairintayhdyshenkilo@helga.fi).

Special vocational teacher

There are three special vocational teachers in Haaga-Helia, who give special guidance for learning in questions relating to, for example, dyslexia. Special vocational teachers support the progress of your studies together with academic advisors and other teaching staff. They will provide you with a form to arrange special support for your studies. They will also conduct reading tests if needed.

Sport services

Do you exercise enough? As a member of Helga, you have access to the versatile Zone sports services both on campuses and online! The class schedule includes for example pilates, yoga, body maintenance, and core workout. The Sports Pass also includes a license to use the Yogobe online yoga service as well as fitness and exercise rooms at polytechnics. You can use the services from Helga’s customer service!

Is it difficult to start exercising? The Finnish Student Sports Federation OLL, has compiled tips on these questions among other things. You can read them in OLLs website.

 

HALI – Support for university guidance and student well-being through service design

The main focus of the project is on the hospitality students who, according to Karvi’s analysis, are the group of students most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland, and it is implemented in cooperation with Helga, Haaga-Helia, and Laurea. In total, the project will benefit about 18,000 students.

Objectives:

  • to support the development of students’ self-direction and self-management, as well as life management skills and abilities
  • alleviate the experience of loneliness
  • develop/organize tutoring activities
  • develop new low-threshold counseling and support services
  • develop peer support activities
  • strengthen community spirit
  • organize study psychology services

VOIMA – Strength, light, and peer support for university students

The project is implemented jointly by Häme UAS and Haaga-Helia UAS, whose student unions HAMKO and Helga are strongly involved in the design, implementation, and development of the model. The target group of the project is all students from both polytechnics.

The project consists of four components:

  • Peer support: peer group and study district activities together with student unions
  • Support services: low-threshold welfare services – study psychologist and student unions involved in developing activities
  • Emotion meter: The research-based emotion meter is integrated into the courses; Identifying and discussing emotions can highlight the need for additional support, and students can be referred directly from the courses to the above support services.
  • Webinar Series: A series of four national webinars on higher education on self-direction, capacity building, emotion regulation, and learning skills. Implemented in collaboration with experts, psychologists, and students.

Need someone to talk to? VOIMA project student support person Rosa Weckman is available for a talk around any topic that might concern you: studies, everyday life or relationships. VOIMA project promotes students’ wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis.The easiest way to contact Rosa is by phone during on-call hours on Tuesdays from 9 am to 11 am or on Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm. You can find contact information on MyNet.

University chaplain

University chaplain is available for you if you wish to have a confidential discussion on anything relating to life. Joy, longing, sorrow or something pleasant, everyday life or anything that’s on your mind can be discussed with the chaplain. The discussions are confidential and the university chaplain is bound by professional confidentiality. The basis is that everyone’s personal view and opinions on world and spirituality are respected. You can contact a university chaplain also when planning a baptism, marriage or blessing the grave.

Helsinki
Marjut “Maikki” Mulari
marjut.mulari@evl.fi / 0504685086
Instagram: @pastorimaikki

Whatever your concern regarding your well-being is, Maikki can be approached on a low-threshold via email, messaging on WhatsApp, or calling. You can chat with her via messages or make an appointment face to face. Appointments can be arranged for Mondays or Tuesdays and for acute matters by agreement. You can also follow or approach Maikki on Instagram @pastorimaikki.

Porvoo
Juha Takala, Pastor of the Porvoo Finnish Parish Union, email: juha.takala@evl.fi, tel. +358 40 1545035

Claus Ståhlberg, Pastor of the Porvoo Swedish Parish Union, email: claus.stahlberg (at) evl.fi, tel. +358 40 134 2255
No opening hours on campus, but can be reached via phone.

Vierumäki
The priests of other campuses can be used when needed.