This post is also available in: Suomi (Finnish) Svenska (Swedish)

SUPPORT CHANNELS

Provide a person who has lost a loved one with contact information for social and crisis support services or for a local crisis center. You can also ask the bereaved for permission to forward their contact request to crisis support services. A person who has lost a loved one may not have the strength to seek help themselves. That is why it is important that the professional tells them about the different kinds of support available and refers them to support services. Also remember to tell the bereaved about peer support organizations and the support they offer.

Crisis helpline

The social and crisis support services on call provide crisis support 24 hours a day. If the death is connected to a crime, advise the bereaved also to contact Victim Support Finland.

Hospital

Going through what has happened with doctors and nurses
Hospital chaplain
Social worker
Referral to other services

Health center

Doctor: sick leave
Referral to other health care services

Occupational health care

Occupational health nurse: conversational therapy and follow-up
Occupational health doctor: sick leave
Occupational health psychologist
Referral to other services

Where can a grieving person find support?

It is every professional’s responsibility to ensure that a person who has lost a loved one receives the support they need. Map out what kind of support the grieving person needs and tell them about the different types of support available.

Pupil and student welfare

Student and school health services
Services offered by psychologists and school social workers: conversational therapy and referral to other services

Child health clinic and family counseling clinic

Nurse
Child health clinic psychologist
Family counseling clinic

Psychotherapy

Psychological counseling and conversational therapy
Psychotherapy supported by Kela

Information about psychotherapy supported by Kela

Social services

Home help service
Family work
Service needs assessment by a social worker
Also other services than those offered to families with children

Kela

Financial support:

Income support
Survivors’ pension
Housing allowance

Kela’s guidelines for people who have lost a loved one

Information on handling practical matters related to the death of a loved one

The Suomi.fi website contains a Death of a close family member guide, which provides information on funeral arrangements, estate inventory and financial support, among other things.