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.
The new Master’s Degree Programme in Public Mental Health addresses the global need for experts to tackle systemic mental health challenges, which have risen sharply, particularly among children and young people. According to Mari Lahti, University Lecturer at the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry and academic lead of the programme, the studies have a specific emphasis on mental health epidemiology and cover the development of interventions and their implementation in the field of mental health.
“We are training future experts who can have a significant impact on solving societal problems – develop service systems, contribute to mental health research, and understand strategic management in the field of mental health”, she says.
With this goal in mind, the curriculum includes courses related to statistical methods, clinical research, qualitative methods, and conducting systematic reviews.
The programme’s first students agree that the focus is timely. "There’s a huge gap in public mental health, especially in developing countries," says Rida Zahra, who plans to return to Pakistan after graduation to implement new policies.
"Even in developed countries, mental health disorders remain prevalent. We can be part of the solution," says Dilukshi Soysa, a student originally from Sri Lanka.
Strong interest and diverse student group
The programme’s first application round in January 2024 saw an unexpectedly high number of applicants, with 380 people applying for the available 15 spots. Applicants came from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, with particular emphasis on medicine, health sciences, psychology, social sciences, statistics, and health promotion. The first group of students started their studies this autumn.
“The programme is unique in Finland, and there are still very few of them also globally. We were positively surprised that, in the first year, we could already welcome students coming from all over the world”, said Laura Kortesoja, University Teacher at the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry and educational manager of the programme.
The students have already seen the benefits of the diversity within their group and appreciate the international learning environment. “We have students from Finland, other European countries, Asia, and Africa. You can learn a lot from each other,” Zahra notes.
“We can exchange insights about different mental health systems and psychological backgrounds”, Soysa adds.
Multidisciplinary programme with local and global career opportunities
The programme offers students the chance to integrate various fields of study, with a strong focus on mental health epidemiology, interventions, and service systems. This flexibility is one of its key strengths, according to the students. "We have the academic freedom to tailor our studies and explore interdisciplinary areas like machine learning in public mental health," Zahra mentions.
Kortesoja emphasises that students’ future career prospects always stem from the students themselves and their interests.
“Each person individually chooses their minors and possibly already has a plan for where they want to work. Not everyone is headed in the same direction, and that diversity is a real strength”, she says.
“We see a significant need for this programme. We aim to further develop the curriculum to better meet current needs, ensuring that the job market receives top-tier professionals to help improve, for example, the service system”, Lahti continues.
Both Zahra and Soysa see the programme as a stepping stone towards their future careers and plans for doctoral studies. Zahra expresses her interest in applying the knowledge she gains to public mental health initiatives in her home country, while Soysa is considering further research in Finland. "The programme has already introduced us to research opportunities, which is promising for those of us considering academic careers," she notes.
Positive early experiences from students
The students are happy with the start of their studies and the welcoming environment at the University. Both Zahra and Soysa noted that the transition into the programme has been smooth, thanks to the support provided by the university staff and student tutors. “The university gave us a lot of useful information even before we arrived, through webinars and newsletters,” Zahra shares.
The adjustment to the academic structure in Finland has been a new experience. "The supportive environment and facilities, such as staff, student tutors, and libraries, are good for your learning," said Soysa. Finland’s four seasons, including the snow, is also something she looks forward to experiencing.
Outside of the classroom, the group has also already begun to form a sense of community. They plan to meet up for social activities, including exploring the local area with their student tutors. “The lectures here are longer than what I'm used to, but there has still been a lot of time to walk around and explore the city. The days feel so long!” Zahra says.
> Read more about the Master’s Degree Programme in Public Mental Health
> Read more about the research groups behind the programme: INVEST Research Flagship Centreand Research Centre for Child Psychiatry
