In response to concern among its members about the increase in working hours over the last few years, the white-collar union YTN Ry, an affiliate of AKAVA (the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland), has addressed the issues of time pressure, overwork, and work ability. White-collar workers work approximately 43 hours per week, which is more than the average for other wage earners.¹⁶ YTN's programme on time pressure seeks concrete measures to cut working hours. These could include the option of early retirement, shorter annual working hours, efficient bookkeeping of real working hours, and a "working hour account," in which extra hours can be saved and used when needed.

The role of non-governmental organisations

Finnish social security and disability policy is based on the Nordic welfare state model and, to a great extent, is organised through public sector services and financed through taxes. However, non-governmental organisations, mainly financed by the Finnish Slot Machine Association, (Raha-automaattiyhdistys, RAY) supplement and complement the range of public services available. RAY allocates the entire profit from its gaming operations to non-profit health and social welfare organisations. In 1996 RAY allocated 71 million Finnish marks to mental health activities.¹⁷

There are 110 registered national voluntary organisations and associations working on social and health issues in Finland. Seventy of them represent the interest of persons with disabilities. Most NGOs contribute to mental health promotion in some way, such as offering rehabilitation and training. Many NGOs provide rehabilitation services that are purchased by municipalities. Mental health patients and their families did not establish their organisations until the 1960s and 1970s, which is relatively late compared to other disability groups. Therefore, their memberships are relatively small compared to the incidence of mental health problems. Stigma associated with mental health issues is also a factor in the low level of organisation among people with mental health problems.

In 1996, The Association of Voluntary Health, Social, and Welfare Organisations asked its 110 member organisations to comment on mental health services in Finland.

The following points were brought up by many organisations and associations working in the field.¹⁸:

*Stigma associated with mental health problems and treatment is still strong.

*People with long term illness or disabilities are at a greater risk of developing mental health problems. This risk is often forgotten. Greater co-operation between the different authorities and organisations is required to fully understand and address this issue.

*The mental health needs of some special groups, such as the deaf and ethnic minorities, are difficult to meet.

*Adjustment training services have not been utilised efficiently, and information concerning different options is often lacking.

*Mental health services are often isolated and hard to get to.

*There is need for closer co-operation between voluntary social welfare organisations and government agencies.

THE FINNISH ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH

 

The Finnish Association for Mental Health is a non-governmental, voluntary, public health organisation that provides expertise and service in men-