Physicians for Social Responsibility – Finland
Physicians for Social Responsibility – Finland (PSR Finland) was founded in 1982. Today it unites more than a thousand current and soon-to-be Finnish physicians, dentists, and veterinarians.
PSR Finland’s mission is to raise awareness in the medical community on global ethical and social matters, and to promote safe livelihoods, equality and peace.
The organization is non-partisan and independent of companies and any commercial entities that could endanger the professional integrity of physicians. PSR Finland does not accept financial support from the medical or pharmaceutical industries.
PSR Finland is an affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and a part of Health Action International (HAI).
The central work of PSR Finland consists of: development cooperation, peace promotion, and social responsibility in healthcare.
Join us and become a member of PSR Finland or support our work on socially responsible health care in Finland and globally.
Mental Health Project in Somalia
According to WHO, Somalia has one of the highest mental health prevalences worldwide. However, public mental health care service provision remains sparse, with a limited amount of trained mental health care professionals, low public capacity and lacking community mental health care services.
PSR Finland’s mental health project in Somaliland, the northern region of Somalia, will increase the access of people to community-based mental health services. The project will also promote the adoption of a human rights based approach and increase public awareness on mental health issues to decrease the stigma and discrimination against people with mental disorders in Somaliland.
To support the sustainability of the intervention and to promote the long-term development of the mental health care infrastructure, the project will increase the capacity of health care officials to promote mental health from a human rights perspective.
PSR Finland’s Mental Health project in Somalia is supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The project is implemented in Somaliland by a local NGO: Assistance and Volunteer Organisation (GAVO). GAVO has 20 years of experience in working with mental health in Somaliland.
Get involved! For more information about our mental health project contact: Programme Manager Johanna Järveläinen, johanna.jarvelainen@lsv.fi
Mental Health Project in Nepal
Despite high levels of mental health needs, access to services in Nepal is limited by scarce resources, stigma, and low awareness. The project ”Strengthening and Scaling Community-Based Mental Health Services in Nepal” aims to improve access to quality mental health care in the Sindhuli and Okhaldhunga districts.
The project strengthens community-based mental health services within the public primary health care system. It focuses on increasing mental health awareness and reducing stigma, improving the identification and treatment of mental health conditions, and empowering people with lived experience and communities to actively promote mental health and access to care.
Building on the long-standing experience of PSR and its local partner, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO), the project supports existing local structures through training, community outreach, and the establishment of village- and district-level mental health committees to ensure sustainable services beyond the project period.
The four-year mental health project in Nepal (2023–2026) is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Get involved! For more information about our mental health project in Nepal contact: Programme Manager Mari Laaksonen, mari.laaksonen@lsv.fi
Social Responsibility in Healthcare
PSR Finland advocates for a just and sustainable healthcare system in Finland. We critically assess the relationship between physicians and the medical industry, emphasizing the need for transparency in healthcare. We stress the right of all people to high-quality healthcare.
In our programme for undocumented migrants’ health (PapeTe) we pursue for equal rights to healthcare for all. We support the undocumented migrants’ access to public services. Together with other organizations we increase patients’ knowledge of their own rights and skills to improve their state of health.
PapeTe programme offers information and advice about the healthcare of undocumented migrants. We also cooperate with other NGOs in large networks in Finland, the Nordic countries and Europe. The programme is funded by the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organizations (STEA).
For more information about the PapeTe programme:
Advisor Aino Tuomi-Nikula (aino.tuomi-nikula@lsv.fi, +358 44 744 0014)
Coordinator Reetta Piri (reetta.piri@lsv.fi, +358 40 171 5332)
The helpline for undocumented patients and social and healthcare professionals is open on weekdays from 9am to 3pm.
Call: +358 44 744 9932
Peace Promotion
PSR Finland is a part of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded organization International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). PSR board member Kati Juva is IPPNW’s International Councilor. PSR Finland is also a member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The mission of this long-term work is the abolishment of all nuclear weapons.
We advocate for Finland to become more active in promoting an international agreement banning nuclear weapons. PSR Finland delegations regularly meet representatives of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland to discuss disarmament issues.
PSR Finland’s peace work also addresses armed violence that undermines health and security. We participate in international campaigns and congresses to prevent small arms violence. PSR Finland has published several books on nuclear weapons, small arms and disarmament.
Get involved! For more information about our peace work: board member Kati Juva, juva.kati@gmail.com