Keyword: Research Centre for Child Psychiatry

A diverse group of new Master’s degree students have started their studies in the new Public Mental Health programme, which attracted significant interest from students worldwide in its first intake. As the first programme of its kind in Finland, it aims to address mental health challenges at the population and service system level through interdisciplinary approaches and a global perspective.

A large international study conducted at the University of Turku in Finland found that most adolescents do not seek professional help even when they have a high level of mental health problems. This unmet need was prevalent across all eight Asian and European countries involved in this study but especially in lower-income countries.  
 

There has not previously been conducted any population-based study on suicidality among children and adolescents during the Russian invasion in Ukraine. A new study carried out by a multinational research group showed high levels of suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescents, which were strongly associated with wartime traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. 

In Turku, child psychiatry recognises the inseparable connection between the psychological well-being of children and society. Factors such as the COVID pandemic, war, and migration have a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. In addition to conducting cutting-edge research, Turku is actively developing means to make an impact on psychological well-being from an early stage within primary health care, starting from maternity clinics.

Research Flagship Centre INVEST is commissioning an international external assessment of its activities and future options as the first Finnish Flagship. The assessment will help INVEST and its host organisations to decide on the future of its activities after the end of the current flagship period. 

Patrick McGrath has worked devotedly for the improvement of psychiatry. He arrived to Turku straight from Ukraine to give a keynote speech in child psychiatric seminar.

The mental health of children and adolescent is a current topic around the world, especially now, when the well-being of young people is burdened by many crises. With the pandemic, suicides among young people have been on the rise worldwide. According to researchers, climate change and the loss of biodiversity are also significant threats to public health.

Professor of social work Mia Hakovirta and Professor of child psychiatry André Sourander have received funding from NordForsk call Welfare among Children and Young People in the Post-Pandemic Nordics. Both projects examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of children and adolescents in the Nordic countries.

In a recent seminar, there were presentations about mental health stigma and ways to reduce it.  A major topic of discussion was the prevalence of mental health stigma and its negative effect on the human dignity of those in need of services. The seminar was organized by The Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, INVEST research centre and the Advisory Board for Public health (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health).