Read more about the organisation: EMY ry strengthens mental health and sense of community

The Espoo Mental Health Association EMY ry was established in Espoo in 1985. Emy was set up when a group of patients and employees at Jorvi Hospital began to talk about where and how patients would be able to get social support after periods of hospitalisation. 

At the time, hospitalisations were longer and the service system was different. Over the years, the association grew and received funding and facilities to support its activities.

From the very beginning, Emy’s driving force has been the sense of community and the genuine desire of people to work together for the common good.

Emy enables a wide range of people to participate in versatile group and other activities that support mental wellbeing. Emy has a large number of volunteers, and more than 2,500 different people participate in the activities every year. 

More than 60 different groups convene regularly and the association also organises trips and camps.

A referral or a diagnosis is not required – anyone over the age of 18 can join the activities. Membership is not a condition for participation. A central objective of the activities is to reduce loneliness and strengthen mental wellbeing.

The principles of a safer space are observed in Emy's activities and participants are required to be sober in all situations during the activities.

Emy has a meeting place in Espoon keskus (Terveyskuja 2C), Kivenlahti (Merenkäynti 3) and Kuitinmäki (Kuunkehrä 2A, 2nd floor).

Emy and the City of Espoo’s team for the promotion of health, wellbeing and participation have a joint space pilot, which is currently developing a new community space, Olarin Olohuone, in Olari. Read more(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish). 

Emy is also a partner of Espoon Diakoniatalo and the meeting place Raitin Pysäkki in Leppävaara. 

The key sponsors of Emy’s activities are the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations STEA and the Wellbeing services county of Western Uusimaa. Emy is currently running the Länsituuli project funded by STEA, in which group activities to support mental wellbeing are launched in Kirkkonummi, Lohja, Vihti, Siuntio, Inkoo and Karkkila. 

Emy cooperates across sectoral boundaries and coordinates several cooperation networks. Emy is there for people.

New people will be warmly welcomed to Emy's activities. You can come and join the activities or sign up according to the programme compiled on the website(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish).

It may also be a good idea to contact one of Emy’s employees and make an appointment for getting to know the activities. This opens up an opportunity to talk about what would be the most suitable way to participate. More information on the website(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish).