If substance use is something you are concerned about or if it is affecting your daily life, you can get support from the university. Substances refer to alcohol, drugs and medication used for intoxicating purposes.
The university’s substance abuse programme is there to support you. Early intervention, guidance and access to help always come first.
Do you need help?
If you feel that your substance use is affecting your studies, your wellbeing or your daily life, you can contact:
- Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (opens in a new tab) — you can book an appointment without a referral. FSHS staff are bound by a duty of confidentiality: when you seek help on your own initiative, no information is shared with teaching staff.
- Your faculty’s substance abuse contact person — you can find contact details further down on this page.
- Your PSP counsellor or teacher tutor — they can also talk with you in confidence.
You do not need to be sure whether the situation is “serious enough”. It is enough that
it is on your mind.
Are you concerned about a fellow student?
Read the instructions on how you can help and who to contact:
How is substance use brought up?
If a member of the university staff becomes concerned about your substance use, they may raise the topic with you. This conversation is a confidential one-to-one discussion — not a disciplinary measure. Its purpose is to:
- express concern about your situation
- discuss how substance use may be affecting your studies and wellbeing
- consider together whether you need help and support.
Your substance use will not be discussed in a group setting or within earshot of other students.
What support is available at the university?
Each faculty and the Language Centre has a substance abuse contact person you can turn to.
The substance abuse contact person:
- talks with you about your situation in confidence
- helps you find suitable support and services
- acts as a contact between you, the faculty and the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)
- arranges a referral-to-treatment meeting if necessary.
Find out more about the substance abuse programme’s referral-to-treatment meeting and treatment options (opens in a new tab).
Substance abuse contact persons by faculty
Contact the substance abuse contact person in your faculty or the Language Centre:
- Philosophical Faculty: Academic Affairs Specialist Riikka Myllys
- Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology: Head of Academic Affairs Maarit Merimaa-Piirainen
- Faculty of Health Sciences: Head of Academic Affairs Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies:
- Joensuu campus: Amanuensis Minna Paronen
- Kuopio campus: Academic Affairs Specialist Maija Nyman
- Language Centre: Coordinator Emmi Ylihärsilä
Further information and support services
Student substance abuse programme (PDF)
The university’s substance abuse programme describes the shared procedures for handling situations related to substance use, for prevention and for referral to treatment. The programme was drawn up in collaboration with the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). The programme was approved by the Academic Rector on 17 December 2019.