Jyväskylä’s Youth House will open on 3 May

It will provide mental health and substance abuse support as well as guidance and counselling

On 27 April, the Finnish city of Jyväskylä announced that its Youth House will open on Monday 3 May. According to a press release by the municipality, the Youth House is a two-year project which is funded by the European Social Fund and managed by the City’s youth services.

The primary aims of this project are to increase cooperation between the various youth services in the city as well as to develop youth inclusion and social empowerment. Project Manager Tuija Kautto further clarified:

“Cooperation between services will be increased in the youth house. It is a multidisciplinary place where young people receive help, guidance and support from one place. Both face-to-face and virtual services are taken into account in the operation. The services of the Youth House are free of charge and confidential.”

What services will be offered?

Jyväskylä residents under the age of 30 will have access to various services in the Youth House. According to the aforementioned press release, the project offers support in all fields of youth life: living, studying, wellbeing, hobbies, etc.

The project will allow young people between the ages of 13 and 22 – as well as their relatives – to receive support for mental health and substance abuse. Social worker Eija Hiltunen commented on these services, noting that young people can contact the youth house regarding any issues they may have. “Concerns can be related to, for example, mood, substance abuse, sexuality, or conflicts with family,” Hiltunen explains.

Furthermore, people under the age of 30 will have access to guidance and counselling on education, leisure, housing, wellbeing, etc. What is more, they can receive support individually or participate in group activities with other young adults like themselves.

In addition to this, the project offers several other services such as rehabilitation and helping young people who do not work or study.

The Youth House will begin operating on Monday 3 May when young people will be able to get in touch with employees, counsellors, and social workers face-to-face or virtually.