Keeping everyone on board: Finnair and MIELI supporting mental health in Finland

For nearly 130 years, MIELI Mental Health Finland has worked to support mental wellbeing in Finland. MIELI is a mental health organisation dedicated to promoting mental health, providing crisis support and preventing mental health challenges. Finnair is now supporting MIELI’s work with a donation of €50,000.

According to Sini Kivekäs, Chief People Officer at Finnair, the partnership is rooted in the idea of inclusion and meaningful human connection.

“For us, being on board means more than travelling. It’s about people feeling that they belong, staying connected with others and receiving support when they need it. When those things are in place, it is easier to move forward through different stages of life,” says Sini.

“As an employer, we see every day how important wellbeing is for individuals, work communities and families. We feel it is important to contribute not only to the wellbeing of our own employees, but also to society more broadly.”

Supporting Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health and Crisis Services 

Finnair’s donation will support both children’s and young people’s mental health and the crisis services provided by MIELI.

Mental wellbeing among children and young people is strengthened by supporting parents, professionals and other adults involved in their daily lives through training, webinars and educational materials.

Every year, MIELI’s Crisis Helpline and regional crisis centres provide around 160,000 support encounters for people in need. The Crisis Helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. MIELI’s crisis centres operate in more than 29 locations across Finland and offer counselling and support both face-to-face and remotely.

“When mental health support is easy to access and available early enough, its impact can extend far into the future,” says Sini.

According to Sari Aalto-Matturi, Executive Director of MIELI, the most common reasons people contact MIELI’s crisis services include relationship difficulties, suicidal thoughts, loneliness and emotional distress caused by situations such as illness, the death of a partner or financial hardship.

Even a single conversation that restores hope can make a difference. In some cases, one phone call can be enough to save the life of a suicidal person. 

“It is important to remember that both our own mental wellbeing and that of the people close to us can be strengthened. The basics matter: good sleep, exercise, regular meals, relationships and activities that feel meaningful. When supporting others, the most important thing is to listen and ask one simple question: ‘How are you doing?’” says Sari.

Growing Need for Mental Health Support

According to Sari, mental health challenges have become a major public health issue. For example, anxiety and depression among young people have become more common, while mental health-related sick leave has increased.

“Mental health challenges affect all of us, either personally or through someone close to us. At a societal level, they are also reflected in growing costs, which exceed €11 billion,” says Sari.

Mental health challenges can be prevented and their impact reduced by ensuring that support is available early enough. Strengthening the mental wellbeing of children and young people is an investment in the future, helping to build the foundation for healthy, productive adulthood.

Free and rapidly accessible crisis support provides a vital safety net during difficult life situations. It helps people get through the hardest moments while waiting for other services.

Customers Can Get Involved Too

Finnair also wants to offer its customers an opportunity to help keep everyone on board and support the work of MIELI.

Finnair customers can donate their Avios to support MIELI’s mental health work through the Finnair Shop.

Even a small donation can help someone in a difficult situation receive support.