Increasing resources for welfare work with children and young people

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the figures for young people’s ill-being were alarming. There were 60,000 permanently marginalised young people. Between 20 and 25 per cent of young people suffer from some form of mental health problem. According to the report, in 2019 there were more children in care and taken into custody than ever before. During the coronavirus pandemic, 55,000 new families with children experienced hardship due to the crisis. This equates to approximately 100,000 children.

What are the mental health statistics now during the coronavirus pandemic and afterwards? How can we stop these worrying figures from rising and turn them into a decline? In teaching

at school and in youth work, the well-being and mental health of children and young people must be taken into account.  Permanent youth workers are particularly important, as
they become familiar to young people.

With this initiative, we want to ensure that Tuusula does everything it can to support the mental health of children and young people.

We propose the following measures for consideration:

Attention to well-being work with children and young people in schools.

1. Schools will increase the number of counsellors, psychologists and study counsellors to comply with the law. Schools will ensure that young people can quickly access support and that help is available through low-threshold services. The services offered by schools will be developed so that they also work with remote consultations.
2. After the exceptional circumstances, schools and youth work will focus on young people's social relationships, as well as class cohesion and team spirit in all upper secondary school grades. In addition, upper secondary schools and vocational institutions in the Tuusula area will be taken into account. In other words, we will not forget the students in Tuusula who are in secondary education.
3. Find out about the situation of young people in Tuusula by listening to them. Conduct a survey or similar to assess the situation.
4. More municipal youth workers will be made permanent. More resources will be allocated to meeting children and young people by going out into different areas.
5. The job description of education supervisors will be revised so that they have the opportunity to be available to young people and support them without being rushed.
6. Ensure that those working with young people are trained and prepared for the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the follow-up work.
7. Support families; due to the crisis situation, hire a second family counsellor for the municipality.
8. Additional measures to support families.
   
   Third sector
   
9. The coronavirus situation has also affected organisations. The municipality of Tuusula could provide coronavirus support to organisations for children and young people in need.
10. The municipality networks with associations and other partners. It consults third sector actors on what work should be done to benefit young people and improve their well-being, and what services or support are available from whom.
11. It would be beneficial to list these organisations on the municipality's website so that parents and young people can find all the information they need in one place.

This content has been translated using AI

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