Raising the topic of mental health

It is often good for professionals to ask directly about mental health symptoms. The Finnish service system is unfamiliar to many migrant customers, so they do not always know which services or professionals to turn to for mental health issues and what will follow if they do. Alternatively, it may be that the customer does not want to bring up the matter themselves or that they do not have the words for talking about mental health or experiences of doing so. 

Another reason why it is important to raise the topic and discuss mental health together is that the customers can interpret their symptoms and the events that have taken place in a variety of different ways. They may, for example, see psychological symptoms as a sign of an incurable problem, of an irreversible process of deteriorating quality of life, or of their own responsibility for the problem. Such interpretations often increase stress and make recovery more difficult.

Understandable language and everyday examples make it easier to talk about mental health

Professionals can facilitate the process of talking about mental health by explaining that they know about how common various psychological symptoms are – including insomnia, low mood or repetitive thoughts. At the same time, they can ask the customer if they have experienced such symptoms or anything similar.

When raising the topic, it is advisable to avoid the use of professional or diagnostic terms, such as depression. Instead, professionals should speak of mental health, wellbeing and different symptoms in as concrete a way as possible and through the use of everyday examples. This helps to normalise the act of talking about mental wellbeing.

With some customers, talking about mental health may require a longer period of time, the building of mutual trust, and raising certain topics on multiple occasions.

When raising the topic, it is also important to offer, in as understandable and concrete a manner as possible, information on mental health, how it can be supported, different kinds of symptoms, and the health and social services available.