For Those Experiencing a Crisis

In the Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland, the Social and Crisis Emergency Service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In acute crisis situations, call 014 266 0149. More information can be found on the Social and Crisis Emergency Service website. 

We provide crisis support to individuals, and people close to them, who have experienced a traumatic situation, as well as to people who have witnessed traumatic events.

A traumatic crisis may be, for example:

  • the sudden death of someone close to you 
  • a suicide attempt by someone close to you 
  • accidents
  • becoming a victim of violence or a serious crime
  • a serious illness affecting yourself or someone close to you

After a traumatic experience, it is normal for the mind and body to react to what has happened. Some people react more strongly in the same situation, others more mildly. 

Call the emergency number 112 if you need urgent assistance from an ambulance, fire department, or police, or if your life, health, property, or environment, or those of someone else, are in danger.

After a traumatic experience, it is normal for the mind and body to react to what has happened. Some people react more strongly in the same situation, others more mildly.

During the first days, you may experience

  • a feeling that things are not real
  • difficulty believing what has happened
  • distressing mental images related to the event
  • strong emotions (such as grief, anger, fear, guilt, helplessness, shame, or relief) or emotional numbness
  • memory and concentration difficulties
  • difficulty falling asleep
  • a need to find an explanation for what happened
  • various physical symptoms, such as headache, nausea, trembling, feeling cold, a lump in the throat, or a tight feeling in the chest.

In the following weeks, the most common experiences are

  • reliving the events and flashbacks of what happened
  • irritability and anxiety
  • restlessness and agitation
  • “why”, “maybe”, and “what if” questions
  • memory and concentration difficulties.

Strong emotions may still occur, such as grief, anger, fear, guilt, feelings of emptiness, and a sense of injustice.

  • Talk to others about your experiences and rely on people close to you for support.
  • Remember to eat and drink.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol use.
  • Try to maintain your daily routines.

Remember that your feelings are normal and appropriate. Reactions caused by unusual situations usually ease with time, but they may reappear even after a long period. By reacting to what has happened, you are processing the event in your mind.

You should seek professional help if

  • your reactions have not eased at all within a few months of the event
  • you feel constantly anxious, depressed, or tense
  • you have long-lasting sleep difficulties
  • you cannot concentrate and have difficulty working
  • you have physical symptoms for which no cause can be found
  • you have no one to talk to
  • you use too much medication or alcohol
  • you have lost your will to live
  • you have suicidal thoughts.

A child also reacts to traumatic events. A child's reactions are influenced by factors such as
the child’s age. Young children are usually not able to express their grief by crying.

A child may show:

  • irritability and frustration
  • restlessness
  • clinginess
  • sleep difficulties
  • physical symptoms, such as stomach pain and headache.

Talk with the child about what has happened. Do not hide your own emotions too much. Give the child time to understand, and correct any possible misunderstandings. Maintain normal daily routines so that the child feels safe.

Parents and other adults close to the child are the child’s best source of support and security, even when something traumatic has happened. Also inform the child’s daycare or school about what has happened so that the child can be supported in the difficult situation.

In Central Finland, the following also provide help:

In crisis situations, you can also talk to someone through the following national services

  • MIELI Mental Health Finland National Crisis Helpline, tel. 09 2525 0111 (24 hours a day)
    • The Crisis Helpline also has on-call services in Swedish, Arabic, English, Ukrainian and Russian.
  • Victim Support Finland, tel. 116 006
    • in Finnish on weekdays 09:00–20:00 and in Swedish on weekdays 12:00–14:00
    • Victim Support Finland’s chat service is open on weekdays 09:00–15:00 and additionally on Mondays 17:00–19:00
  • SEKASIN chat for 12–29-year-olds
  • Mielenterveystalo.fi (Mentalhub) provides reliable help for mental wellbeing
  • Services and support for parents from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare: www.mll.fi/vanhemmille
  • Services and support for young people from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare: www.nuortennetti.fi
  • Nollalinja, tel. 080 005 005 (24 hours a day)
    • provides help for victims of domestic violence and women subjected to violence
  • Church Helpline, tel. 0400 221 180, 18:00–24:00, www.evl.fi/kirkonkeskusteluapu
  • Surunauha, tel. 044 751 9916, weekdays 09:00–15:00
    • Surunauha’s chat service is open on Tuesdays
    • Surunauha offers peer support to people who have lost someone close to them to suicide.
  • Käpy ry
    • provides nationwide peer support for families who have experienced the death of a child
  • Nuoret lesket ry
    • peer support for widows/widowers and children in bereaved families
  • Peer support groups organised by MIELI Mental Health Finland
    • for example for people who have lost someone close through suicide or another sudden death, for young people who need support, or for people who have experienced other difficult life situations and crises.