Equality

The Equality unit researches and supports equality, inclusion, health, and psychological well-being among different population groups. The unit develops mental health services, employment-supporting social welfare and healthcare services, and operating models for promoting inclusion. The unit serves as an expert body at the intersections between health, well-being, migration and cultural diversity.

The Equality unit

• carries out research, development and expert work which relates to: mental health promotion; risk factors for mental disorders; prevention, identification and treatment of mental disorders; the mental health service system; and monitoring of the population’s mental health.
• is responsible for the statutory forensic psychiatry tasks assigned to public authorities and researches and develops the field of forensic psychiatry in cooperation with other bodies.
• implements and develops monitoring of the health and well-being of foreign origin populations and ethnic minority groups, researches inequalities in health and well-being related to cultural diversity, develops services, and coordinates the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s Expert Group for Cultural Diversity MONET.
• produces information on the experiences of inclusion in different population groups and their connections with health, well-being, culture and safety; assesses the effectiveness of models for promoting inclusion; and promotes a resource-oriented operating culture in client work, management and decision-making.
• develops health and social services for people of working age together with organisations that support employment; strengthens client participation in these services; promotes inclusive job markets and working life participation for those in a disadvantaged position in the labour market; and researches and promotes methods for supported employment.
• promotes non-discrimination and gender equality, prevents discrimination, and strengthens competence in tackling intersecting inequalities.

Unit teams

• Migration and Cultural Diversity
• Mental Health
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Inclusion Research and Promotion
• Inclusive Labour Markets and Support for Employment
• Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality

Contact details

Eila Linnanmäki
Head of Unit
tel. +358 29 524 8581
e-mail: [email protected]

Postal address
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Equality Unit
Po Box 30
FI-00271 Helsinki, Finland