In Finland, the general planning, guidance and oversight of work on mental health is handled by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Municipal social and health services are responsible for work on the prevention, early recognition and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation concerning mental health problems.

Mental health services include:

• identification of mental health problems and disorders,
• treatment of mental health problems and disorders at the primary level,
• psychiatric outpatient care,
• psychiatric inpatient care,
• psychiatric rehabilitation.

Emphasis on outpatient treatment

First of all, primary social and health care services are used in the treatment of mental health problems and disorders. If the primary services are not effective enough, psychiatric outpatient treatment and sometimes inpatient treatment is needed.  There is also service accommodation designed for mental health rehabilitees.

Occupational health care supports the maintenance of mental health, prevention of problems and early identification of problems among the working-age population. 

Particularly serious mental health disorders are treated in psychiatric outpatient departments of hospitals and in psychiatric hospital wards.