Loved ones and a sense of community
What does a sense of community actually mean?
In short, a sense of community means that you are part of something and feel like you belong to some network of human relationships.
A sense of community is made up of at least these factors:
- co-operation
- inclusion
- trust
- commitment
- motivation
A sense of community is a mental resource also when you have challenges of mental health.
People need to be able to act in a way that is natural to them
- A sense of community does not mean that everyone in a communal group would be super close to each other and in contact with each other all the time.
- Also, being ‘a communal person’ doesn’t mean that you would be always available and ready to do everything you are asked.
- Of course, you have to compromise, but in a healthy community people can act in a way that is natural to them. Some people want to be in the spotlight more, while others want to be more in the background.
Being lonely can make you sick
Especially at a young age, loneliness can often lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm and other mental health problems, says Niina Junttila, researcher of loneliness and Professor of Educational Psychology.
Young people in Finland who are lonely are more likely to suffer from these symptoms:
- headache
- stomach pains
- nervousness
- difficulty falling sleep
Loneliness affects a person’s health and functional ability in many other ways too. Read more about the effects, risk factors and prevention of loneliness in the ‘Loneliness’ section.
If you or your loved one has felt apathetic for a long time, if nothing makes you feel good and if endless exhaustion, guilt, difficulties to concentrate or sleep problems weigh on you, contact your doctor.
It could be depression or some other mental disorder that can be treated.
Communal vibes, help and peer support for you and your loved ones
Girls’ and Boys’ Houses
For example, the Girls’ and Boys’ Houses offer communal vibes, leisure activities, opportunities for hobbies as well as help and support in difficult situations. They can be found in various regions across Finland.
The contact details can be found from the website of the Finnish Settlement Movement. Search for “Tyttöjen ja Poikien Talot ja Tuvat”.
Seta’s peer activities aimed at LGTBIQ+ youth
There are youth groups (in Finnish) that regularly meet all over Finland and have open doors for everyone. The participants include young people who identify as boys, girls, nonbinary or agender as well as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bi, pan or asexual.
In addition, Seta’s online youth centre Loiste (in Finnish) and Gender Diversity & Intersex Centre of Expertise offer chats and individual support at the digital youth centre on Discord.
Online support in the Sekasin Chat
In the Sekasin Chat (in Finnish) you can have anonymous conversations about issues that are on your mind. The chat is staffed by professionals from various organisations and trained volunteers.
The chat is open every weekday from 9 a.m. to midnight and on weekends from 3 p.m. to midnight.
Sekasin Gaming
Sekasin Gaming server is open 24/7. In the server’s text and voice channels, you can get to know new people, make friends and play games safely with friends or strangers.
In addition to peers, the server regularly hosts professionals from various fields who support young people. The discussions are moderated around the clock.
Netari Chat and Netari WA
Netari (in Finnish) is a nationwide online youth centre.
In the Netari Chat you can talk to a reliable adult about things that are important to you. The chat is open from Sunday to Friday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
You can also send a message to the Netari WhatsApp anytime at 0503135160. The professionals at Netari reply to messages from Monday to Friday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Nettiturvis – long-term online chat support
Nettiturvis (in Finnish) is a national service that offers online chat support to young people and their loved ones. The employees of Nettiturvis are crisis and family workers.
Zekki digital service
With the help of the Zekki tool (in Finnish) you can complete a self-assessment of your life situation in just a couple of minutes. You will receive a summary that will help you think about your own life and future. You will also get information about support services suitable for you offered by organisations and municipalities.
Remember that your loved one can lose their ability to manage their own financial and health-related matters quite suddenly.
How can you prepare to take care of the affairs of a loved one?
It’s important to plan in advance with a loved one who will manage their affairs in case they become ill or disabled.
You can manage the affairs of your loved one, for example, with the help of the following:
- powers of attorney for banking or official matters
- access to bank account
- Suomi.fi e-Authorisations
- continuing power of attorney.
What is a continuing power of attorney?
- A continuing power of attorney is a power of attorney document, by which a person authorises someone in advance to manage their affairs when they are no longer able to do so themselves.
- A continuing power of attorney differs from guardianship. A person with a continuing power of attorney has fewer responsibilities than a guardian.
- A power of attorney can be drawn up by a person of legal age who understands the content and purpose of the document.
- The website of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency has instructions on how to draw up a continuing power of attorney.
A continuing power of attorney differs from a guardianship.
Guardianship
What is guardianship?
Guardianship refers to managing someone else’s financial affairs and looking after their interests when they are no longer able to do it themselves and their affairs cannot be managed in any other way.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency determines the need for guardianship.
Who is a guardian?
A guardian is a person that has been appointed by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency or a court of law the to manage the property and financial affairs of another person and to look after their interests.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency supervises the activities of guardians.
A guardian can be a private guardian or a public guardian.
The difference between guardianship and informal care
Guardianship is different from informal care.
Guardianship focuses on financial matters, and informal care focuses on health and everyday life.
However, the same person can have both roles at the same time.