Student health care and welfare services
Student health care
Finnish Student Health Service( FSHS) is providing student health services, as stipulated in the Health Care Act, for those studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a university or other institution of higher education.
Student healthcare services include the following:
- checks on health and safety aspects of the study environment in educational institutions and welfare promotion among learning communities, together with monitoring
- monitoring and promotion of students’ health and welfare and fitness to study
- health checks according to individual needs
- provision of health and medical care services
- mental health and substance abuse services
- promotion of sexual health
- oral health care
- early identification of any special needs and tests required by students, support, and, if necessary, referral for further tests or treatment
You will find up-to-date information of services and how to apply in them at FSHS website.
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences wants to take care of its students’ comprehensive well-being. The aim is to offer students help and support with acute situations, but also to evoke their interest in the upkeep of their own well-being during their studies and later on in working life. The welfare services have been developed in cooperation with a network of experts.
Study psychologist
The study psychologist works at the individual and organisational level in preventive work. Her job is to help students and staff enable a smooth learning path.
A student in need of mental health care will be guided to the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), public health care or third sector health services, as the work of a study psychologist is not nursing work. Teachers and other staff, who are meeting students, can make an appointment with a study psychologist for a consultation on student issues.
The aim of the study psychologist’s work is:
- supporting students’ mental wellbeing and resources
- promoting learning ability
The study psychologist works closely with study counselors, university pastor and vocational special teachers in particular. She also actively collaborates with the Student curator and the University Chaplain.
The forms of work are:
- individual and group guidance
- training
- consultation
The student’s individual visit to a study psychologist is confidential, voluntary and free of charge.
The meeting lasts 45 minutes and the student has the opportunity to visit the study psychologist 1–3 times. Students book an appointment by an online appointment reservation.
The aim of the student meetings is:
- together with the student to structure and evaluate the situation and look for ways to move forward
- to find helpful ways of thinking and acting
- to promote learning ability and wellbeing
- to support resources
- to improve study conditions
- to prevent exclusion from study and working life
- to facilitate graduation and the transition to work
The study psychologist can be reached during office hours from Frami-building A, 3rd floor, A310.8.
Contact information: anne-mari.maunumaa@seamk.fi, tel. +358 40 830 0370.
During meetings, the phone is muted. Students book an appointment through an online appointment reservation, not by email or phone.
Student Curator
Niina Virkkala will be the student curator of studies at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences from 1.2.2025 (niina.virkkala(at)seamk.fi.
The aim of the study curator’s work is:
- promote the well-being and inclusion of all students
- support the well-being and integration of international students
- promote students’ ability to study and their attachment to their studies
- help students to reconcile everyday life, studies and leisure activities
- guide students in social matters and access to services
- provide coaching and counselling on multiculturalism in the SeAMK community
- develop the SeAMK’s student well-being work in cooperation with different teams
Appointments can be easily booked via the online booking website. It is not yet ready at the time of publishing this study guide, as the curator will start working in February 2025. Discussions with the curator are confidential.
Student pastor
SeAMK’s University Chaplain is Aila Jaakkola (aila.jaakkola(at)seamk.fi or tel. +358 (0)44 580 6651. The University Chaplain’s duties consist of supporting holistic wellbeing in the face of the various challenges of studies and everyday life. The aim of the University Chaplain’s work is to make sure that the consulting person feels safe and confident regardless of their conviction, background, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
You can contact the University Chaplain and book an appointment for a discussion, no matter if it is about fatigue, stress, life crises or sorrow, dreams, fears, or ethical questions. The appointment can be easily booked through an online booking site . Conversations with the University Chaplain are confidential.
Guidance and counselling
You can read more about SeAMK’s guidance and counselling services here. On these pages, you can find out about the job descriptions of, for example, study counsellors and vocational special needs teachers.
Additional information
Additional information about students’ welfare services can be found at www.seamk.fi.
