Health & social and disability services in Espoo

Public health services in Espoo, such as health centres, dental care and maternity and child health clinics, are the responsibility of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN).

-> See the contact information for health services on the website of the Western Uusimaa Well-being centres in County.(external link, opens in a new window)

The emergency number is 112, which provides help with life-threatening situations.

Call this number if you witness a dangerous situation requiring an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police. Listen to the emergency response centre’s instructions and answer the questions calmly. Emergency Response Centre employees speak Finnish, Swedish and English. You can also ask for an interpreter to join the call.

• Read more about emergencies on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

If you are unsure if your health matter is urgent, you can always call the hotline at 116 117. This number connects to an automatic answering machine, which will give you instructions. If you do not understand the instructions in Finnish, Swedish or English, wait until the recording ends and the call disconnects. Your phone number will be saved in the system, and a nurse will call you back. When you get the call-back, you can ask for an interpreter on the phone. Tell us the language for which you need an interpreter. For example, you can say “tulkki albania”.

The use of health services is usually subject to a fee. The price varies depending on the service. Public health services are cheaper than private ones, because they are financed by common tax revenues.

Remember to cancel your appointment if you do not need it. You will have to pay a visiting fee if you do not cancel the appointment but do not go there.

You can find the prices of private health services on the websites of companies.

• Read more about client fees in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County on the website.(external link, opens in a new window)

Pharmacies sell both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. For most medicines, you will need a prescription written by a doctor. Without a prescription, you can still buy over-the-counter medicines. These include certain mild painkillers, cold medicines and allergy medicines.

If you have a Finnish personal identity code, you can use an electronic prescription. When you show your ID or KELA card at a pharmacy, the pharmacy staff will see the prescriptions written for you.

If you do not have a Finnish personal identity code, the doctor will write you a prescription based on your name and date of birth. In that case, you will need the patient instructions given by your doctor at the pharmacy with a bar code.

If your prescription expires or you have used it up, but you still need the medicine, please ask a doctor to renew your prescription.

• Read more about prescription renewal on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

School health care and student health care support pupil and student health and wellbeing and help them on their path to education. The services are free. School health care is intended for pupils studying in grades 1–9. Student health care takes care of the health of upper secondary school students. For example, upper secondary students go to general upper secondary school or vocational school.

• Read more about school and student health care on the Western Uusimaa wellbeing services county website. (external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about how public health nurses, social workers and psychologists support children’s school attendance.

The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides health services for students in higher education. Higher education institutions include universities and universities of applied sciences. The FSHS provides medical, dental and mental health services.

To be eligible for services from the FSHS, you must have registered as an attending student for the current term at your own higher education institution. Higher education students must also pay a health care fee to Kela. The fee must be paid for each semester. Kela does not send a separate invoice for the fee, but you must remember to pay it yourself.

• Read more about FSHS services for higher education students.(external link, opens in a new window)

Everyone will occasionally need support with a difficult life event. Don't be alone with your worries. Don’t hesitate to ask for help! The aim of mental health and substance abuse services is to increase mental well-being and reduce the harm caused by substance abuse.

Contact mental health services if

• you have life-limiting fears.
• you are anxious or depressed or are having self-destructive thoughts.
• you are suffering from another mental health issue.

-> See the contact information for mental health services on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing County.(external link, opens in a new window)

You can come to the initial discussion at the Iso Omena service centre. You do not need to book an appointment in advance. If necessary, an interpreter can attend the appointment.  Check the service opening hours and contact details here.

You can also make the initial assessment on your own with the Therapy Navigator (terapianavigaattori.fi) in Finnish, Swedish or English.

• For more detailed information on booking an appointment for mental health services, see the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about mental health and substance abuse services at Iso Omena service centre on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Mielenterveystalo.fi is an online service that provides mental health information. You can find symptom surveys, self-care programmes and online therapy in the service. In addition to Finnish and Swedish, some of the content has been translated into English, Russian and Ukrainian.

• Read more on the Mielenterveystalo.fi website.(external link, opens in a new window)

MIELI ry's Crisis Helpline provides confidential and anonymous chat assistance to people in crisis. Talking to someone on the crisis helpline can help you through a rough patch and make you feel better. The goal of the crisis telephone is to prevent suicides. Crisis Helpline offers assistance in Finnish, Swedish and English.

• See the contact details for Mieli ry’s Crisis Helpline.(external link, opens in a new window)

Read more:

• Read more about taking care of mental health on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about getting help for substance abuse on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

In Finland, a person with disabilities has the right to live a normal life: study, work and start a family. There are many services help you deal with a disability or illness. You can get help with matters like housing or mobility.                     

Disability services are intended for people with a long-term disability or illness. A professional assesses your individual need and can hear what your close circle thinks, if necessary.

In Espoo, the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN) is responsible for services for persons with disabilities.

->  See the contact information for disability services and further information on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Due to disability or a long-term illness, it may be possible to receive financial support from Kela. Disability allowance is available for both children and adults.

• Read more about disability benefits on the Kela website.(external link, opens in a new window)

You can also contact the Support Centre Hilma. Hilma helps immigrants with disabilities and their loved ones, They can tell you about the services and rights of persons with disabilities. Hilma also provides counselling related to services and disability benefits.

• Learn more about Support Centre Hilma.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about services for people with disabilities on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

The child health clinic monitors and promotes the physical, psychological and social growth and development of children under school age. If you have questions about the child’s health or family life, always ask the child health clinic for advice.

• Read more about child health clinic support for families on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about children’s health on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

Speech therapy helps children and young people who have challenges such as speech, understanding speech or interaction.

Contact speech therapy if you are worried about your child or minor

• speech development or unclearness
• linguistic development or understanding speech
• communication skills
• stuttering, pronunciation errors or eating disorders.

Bring the matter up at the maternity and child health clinic, day-care centre or school nurse. Speech therapy is free of charge.

Speech therapy is organised in Espoo by the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN).

• Read more about speech therapy on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Occupational therapy provides advice if your child’s development has been delayed from the normal age level. Your family gets the means to strengthen the child's skills.

Contact occupational therapy if your child has difficulties, for example

• eating
• getting dressed
• being or playing with friends
• concentrating
• transitions.

If you are concerned about your child’s development, bring the matter up at the child health clinic, day-care centre or school health care. Occupational therapy is free of charge.

Occupational therapy is organised in Espoo by the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN).

• Read more about occupational therapy on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Education and family counselling supports you in raising children, in problematic family situations and in crises.

Ask for advice, for example, if

• you have concerns about your child’s behaviour.
• the child has difficulties in social relationships.
• your family has gone through a major change or loss.
• there are recurring problems or conflicts in the family.

The service is intended for families with children or young people under the age of 18. You can also receive advice during pregnancy. The service is free of charge.

In Espoo, education and family counselling is organised by the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN).

• Learn more about support services for family life on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Both public and private healthcare provide advice on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and other sexual health issues.

You can buy condoms from shops, kiosks or pharmacies, for example. For birth control pills, you will need a prescription from a doctor. People under 20 years of age receive contraceptives free of charge from contraception counselling.

In Finland, a woman has the right to decide whether she wants to abort her pregnancy. If you wish to have an abortion, contact health care as early as possible.

• Read more about contraception and sexual health on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read more about abortion on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

Contact contraception and sexual health counselling on the following matters:

• questions related to contraceptives
• questions related to sexually transmitted diseases
• terminating a pregnancy i.e. abortion
• discussion support in matters related to sexuality
• painful, missing or excessive periods
• sexual abuse or harassment.

Book an appointment for advice electronically or by calling a health care centre.

-> Book an appointment electronically in the customer portal of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window) You must perform strong identification, for example, using online banking codes.

• See the health centre’s contact details.

Infertility can usually be treated. Infertility can be caused by many different factors. Sometimes, there is no medical reason for it.

If you have stopped using contraception but pregnancy has not started in a year, book an appointment with a doctor. Contact a health centre, for example.

• Read more about infertility on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

Female genital mutilation is a crime in Finland. It could result in a prison sentence of several years. It is also a crime to commit female genital mutilation abroad.

If you have undergone such surgery, a deinfibulation surgery or corrective surgery may be performed. Ask your health care centre for more information.

• Further instructions for victims of female genital mutilation on the website of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.(external link, opens in a new window)

Consider carefully whether male circumcision is necessary. If the boy is old enough to express his opinion, he must be asked for permission. The operation cannot be carried out if he refuses. If the boy has two guardians, both guardians must give written consent for the operation.

If there is no medical reason for the boy’s circumcision, it cannot be done in public health services. Then you'll have to pay for the surgery yourself. Only a physician may perform an operation. This must be done under sterile conditions. The doctor must take care of pain relief.

Ask your maternity and child health clinic, health centre or school nurse for further instructions on circumcision of boys.

• See the health centre’s contact details.