Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions 

Head of Unit Thomas Karlsson 

The unit 

• Monitors and studies the population’s mental health, substance use, gambling-related harm and addictions, as well as risk and protective factors. 
• Provides data to support decision-making in evidence-based substance use and addiction policy. 
• Monitors, studies, evaluates, and develops mental health services, preventive substance use work, and service systems related to mental health, substance use, and addictions. 
• Provides data and solutions for mental health work in wellbeing services counties and municipalities, as well as for the prevention of substance use- and addiction-related harm. 

The unit is divided into three teams. 

Mental Health

Team Manager Maija Lindgren

The team monitors and produces information on mental health, mental health promotion, suicide prevention, mental health symptoms, and mental disorders. It evaluates and researches the quality of mental health services and participates in their development, steering, and monitoring. 

Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco

Team Manager Jaana Markkula

The team produces monitoring and research data on the use and harms of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco and nicotine products, as well as related policy measures and their impacts. It also monitors, researches, and evaluates preventive substance abuse work and the service system for substance use and addictions, and steers and develops them nationally. 

Gambling Harm

Team Manager Susanna Raisamo

The team monitors and studies gambling-related harm and gambling policy, and develops support and treatment for problem gambling. It also strengthens the competence of professionals as part of substance use and addiction services and broader social and health care. The prevention of gambling harm is studied and promoted as part of preventive substance abuse work in municipalities and wellbeing services counties.