MERTTU was a joint research project 2004-2006 on the effectiveness of mental health services in Finland, involving the Mental Health group at STAKES and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The project mapped the provision of mental health services in each Finnish municipality and analysed the regional service delivery system. The project evaluated the effectiveness of different service structures with regard to population well-being.
 
The project indicated that in general terms the reform of the Finnish mental health services has been a success. The number of post-discharge suicides has decreased in spite of shorter hospitalisations. The project also evidenced that despite the long-standing efforts to further develop outpatient care, the diversity of mental health services is still unsatisfactory in many municipalities. The emphasis on inpatient care is still prevalent and outpatient services have not developed in the desired direction. Finland still has areas where determined efforts should be undertaken to reduce inpatient care and to reallocate resources to psychiatric outpatient care. 24-hour service units outside hospitals should be increased, as well as organised day activities and mobile and emergency outpatient services. The restructuring of mental health services is still under way. The development of mental health work and services will continue to pose a great challenge to municipalities.

Project Leader

Research Professor Kristian Wahlbeck

Postal address

National Institute for Health and Welfare THL
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
P.O. Box 30, FIN-00271 Helsinki, Finland

Street address

Lintulahdenkuja 4, 3rd floor, 00530 Helsinki