Supporting the mental health of refugees in Finland: The PALOMA handbook

Developing National Mental Health Policies for Refugees –project (PALOMA, 2016–2018) identified gaps, barriers and needs as well as good practices related to the mental health work for refugees prevalent in Finland. These observations were used as the basis for writing the PALOMA handbook to promote the wellbeing of refugees.

The handbook includes recommendations targeted at different fields as well as tools for decision-makers, supervisors and professionals for promoting refugees’ mental health and preventing, identifying and treating problems. One of the most essential recommendations included in the handbook involves forming a national support structure. The PALOMA work continues in National support system for refugee mental health work and the knowhow dissemination – project (PALOMA2) with the establishment of the Centre of Expertise for mental health work among refugees and the piloting of good practices.

Authors: A. E. Castaneda, J. Mäki-Opas, S. Jokela, N. Kivi, M. Lähteenmäki, T. Miettinen, S. Nieminen,P. Santalahti

Find the handbook here.