THL granted an award to Children of the Station and the Cancer Society of Finland for their significant work to promote public health
The 2026 Public Health Award has been granted to Children of the Station and the Cancer Society of Finland in recognition of their significant and long-term efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Recipients of the Public Health Award (from left): Hanna Soini (Cancer Society of Finland), Heikki Turkka (Children of the Station), Heidi Löflund-Kuusela ja Tuuli Hynynen (Cancer Society of Finland)
The award was presented today by Mika Salminen, Director General of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) at the National Public Health Day. This year, the event focuses on young people’s health and wellbeing, with particular attention to lower secondary school pupils and students from general upper secondary education.
Encounters with trustworthy adults
The core mission of Children of the Station is to support the safe growth of children and youth, enable the well-being of them and their families and inhibit social exclusion. A central purpose is to increase the presence of adults in the daily life of children and youth.
The organisation forms active partnerships with a wide range of actors, sometimes with surprising collaborators. The work includes the teaching of emotional and interaction skills, intervention in cases of school bullying, the encountering of youth in public spaces, mediation, support in cases of escalating criminal behavior and walking alongside our youth during challenging times and circumstances.
Activities include, for example, the Walkers cafes and Walkers camper vans, where young people can spend time and talk with trusted adults in a relaxed setting. The organisation operates nationwide with a strong focus on reaching young people and families at risk of social exclusion.
“We are grateful that the importance of our work has been recognised. Uncertainty in Finland and globally is reflected directly in young people’s thoughts, emotions and everyday choices. More and more young people are worried about their coping and their future. This is not only about individuals but about the future of our society. Our task is to walk alongside young people and help strengthen trust, inclusion and hope,” says Christian Wentzel, executive manager of Children of the Station
“For many young people showing symptoms through crime, hopelessness stems from traumatic experiences: an unsafe childhood, severe bullying at school or other situations where they did not receive the support and protection they needed. Central to our work is walking alongside these young people—listening, helping them articulate their experiences and accompanying them to support services when needed. This enables us gradually to build trust, strengthen their belief in their own potential and open alternatives to crime and substance use,” says Heikki Turkka, specialist in youth crime and conflict work at Children of the Station.
Information and support for healthy lifestyles
The Cancer Society of Finland’s Fressis service package provides young people with information, support and encouragement to adopt healthy lifestyles and make positive everyday choices.
Fressis produces evidence-based, age-appropriate content for its website and social media channels on a wide range of health topics and engages young people in planning and implementing activities. Health professionals also answer young people’s questions through an online Q&A platform—often in situations where they may not feel able to ask someone close to them. The “Erovirasto” mobile application offers free support for quitting nicotine products.
The Cancer Society of Finland has also carried out long-term development work to promote smoke-free and nicotine-free environments, particularly in vocational institutions and sports settings. In addition, it conducts broader campaigns targeting young people and the adults who work with them, aiming to prevent initiation of nicotine use and support early cessation.
“Although many young people are doing well, challenges related to healthy lifestyles remain – nicotine use, insufficient physical activity and mental load affect many. Through our work, we aim to strengthen young people’s health literacy, sense of capability and motivation to make good choices amid the information overload. We also provide adults working with young people with knowledge, support and effective tools for promoting health,” says Tuuli Hynynen, manager for youth health promotion.
“We are truly honoured by this recognition. Lifestyle habits adopted during adolescence support the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases, but they also promote wellbeing here and now. This important work is not done alone – we will continue it in close and goal-oriented cooperation with our many partners for the benefit of young people,” says Heidi Löflund-Kuusela, manager for health promotion.
The Public Health Award was granted this year for the tenth time. The award recognises significant work to improve public health in Finland. The Public Health Day programme can be followed online on 26 March from 9:00 to 15:45.
Programme and livestream (in Finnish)
Further Information
Christian Wentzel
executive manager
Children of the Station
tel. +358 40 900 4889
[email protected]
Heikki Turkka
specialist, crime and conflict work
Children of the Station
tel. +358 50 518 5511
[email protected]
Heidi Löflund-Kuusela
manager, health promotion
Cancer Society of Finland
tel. +358 50 438 8841
[email protected]
Tuuli Hynynen
manager, youth health promotion
Cancer Society of Finland
tel. +358 50 514 2517
[email protected]
Katja Wikström
Senior Researcher
THL
[email protected]
