The Student Union of LUT University (LTKY) will take part in a demonstration on Wednesday 13 April 2022 from 3 pm to 4 pm in front of the Student House. Underlying the protest is the lack of resources for mental health services at the Student Health Foundation. 13.4. Student Mental Health Day is being celebrated, and in line with this theme, we are demanding that the state allocate more money for FSHS mental health services. The protest originated on the initiative of the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY) and LTKY wants to take part in the protest so that this important issue gets more attention.
Students’ mental health problems have been on the rise for too long. According to a four-year survey of the health and well-being of university students (KOTT), one in three university students suffers from anxiety and depression, which is equivalent to more than 100,000 students. Symptoms of anxiety and depression have been studied to be more common among college students than in the rest of the adult population. This has been reflected in an increasing need for mental health services.
FSHS’s resources have not kept pace with growing demand for services. In view of the increase in the number of starting places at universities, resources have not increased enough. This has led to a situation where students are not receiving treatment fast enough and the treatment queues have become too long.
The current mental health crisis and the scarcity of resources and services need to be taken seriously. The ever-increasing queues for treatment cause enormous human suffering. As a student movement, we demand that more money be budgeted for FSHS mental health services.
Roosa Grönberg, Chairman of the Board of the LUT University Student Union, and Suvi-Tuuli Poikonen, responsible for social policy, will provide more detailed information on the protest.
We emphasize that the protest does not focus on the staff of FSHS or its services, but on the underfunding of FSHS, which is ultimately decided by the state.
Contact information:
Roosa Grönberg
040 017 1076
Suvi-Tuuli Poikonen
050 303 2346