The multidimensionality of urban nature: The well-being and integration of immigrants in Finland

Activities in natural environments greatly enhance human well-being and can support the integration of foreigners into a new country. This article explores how residents from different ethnic backgrounds in Turku, Finland appreciated and engaged with urban natural environments and how this engagement benefitted their well-being and, ultimately, their integration. Individuals enjoy activities in nature in particular ways, which may vary according to a person’s physical, social, and psychological characteristics. This is especially true for immigrants who apply traditions from their home countries to the ways in which they interact with their new environment and enjoy activities in nature. Three dimensions of nature experience—social, emotional, and normative—emerged from the research, which, in turn, supported well-being and different types of integration: interactive, identificational, and cognitive. We argue that because these dimensions are an integral part of a person’s identity and cultural background, familiarity with them may prove pivotal to constructing more welcoming and intercultural urban natural environments. Different approaches to engaging with nature should be considered in the design of urban environments and urban nature, as well as in integration programmes, to enhance the well-being and integration of foreign-background populations.</p

Mental Health and Traumatization of Newly Arrived Asylum Seeker Adults in Finland: A Population-Based Study

Asylum seekers frequently experience potentially traumatic events (PTEs), but the type and frequency vary depending on the country of origin. The cumulative effect of multiple PTEs and other stressors expose asylum seekers to a significant risk of mental ill health. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of PTEs, depression and anxiety symptoms, risk for psychological trauma, psychotropic medication use and previous mental health diagnoses among adult asylum seekers in the Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing (TERTTU) Survey (n = 784 respondents, participation rate 78.6%). A substantial majority (88.7%, 95% CI 86.9–90.3) of asylum seekers reported one or more PTEs before arriving to Finland. PTEs during the asylum-seeking journey were reported at 12.0% (95% CI 10.7–13.4), however, when examined by region of origin, the proportion was 34.5% (95% CI 29.5–39.8) for asylum seekers from Africa (excluding North Africa). Significant symptoms of depression were reported by 41.7% (95% CI 39.6–43.9) of asylum seekers and symptoms of anxiety by 34.2% (95% CI 32.1–36.2). Half of the asylum seekers were assessed as having at least a medium-risk for psychological trauma. Prevalence rates were higher among females and asylum seekers from Africa. This study highlights the importance of using screening tools to identify asylum seekers with severe mental health problems that may need referral to further assessment and treatment. Asylum seekers from Africa (excluding North Africa) should be given additional attention in initial health screenings and examinations

Mental Health and Traumatization of Newly Arrived Asylum Seeker Adults in Finland: A Population-Based Study

Asylum seekers frequently experience potentially traumatic events (PTEs), but the type and frequency vary depending on the country of origin. The cumulative effect of multiple PTEs and other stressors expose asylum seekers to a significant risk of mental ill health. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of PTEs, depression and anxiety symptoms, risk for psychological trauma, psychotropic medication use and previous mental health diagnoses among adult asylum seekers in the Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing (TERTTU) Survey (n = 784 respondents, participation rate 78.6%). A substantial majority (88.7%, 95% CI 86.9–90.3) of asylum seekers reported one or more PTEs before arriving to Finland. PTEs during the asylum-seeking journey were reported at 12.0% (95% CI 10.7–13.4), however, when examined by region of origin, the proportion was 34.5% (95% CI 29.5–39.8) for asylum seekers from Africa (excluding North Africa). Significant symptoms of depression were reported by 41.7% (95% CI 39.6–43.9) of asylum seekers and symptoms of anxiety by 34.2% (95% CI 32.1–36.2). Half of the asylum seekers were assessed as having at least a medium-risk for psychological trauma. Prevalence rates were higher among females and asylum seekers from Africa. This study highlights the importance of using screening tools to identify asylum seekers with severe mental health problems that may need referral to further assessment and treatment. Asylum seekers from Africa (excluding North Africa) should be given additional attention in initial health screenings and examinations

INCLUSIVE APPROACH OUTCOMES IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC MINORITIES – AN INTERVIEW STUDY

A Finnish initiative called TUULI project, led by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, was launched in 2019 to respond to the need of providing accessible psychoeducational material for newly arrived refugees and for professionals working with them. This study investigates the co-creation process of the TUULI project and how participants of refugee backgrounds and professionals working with them perceived said process. Furthermore, this study investigates the factors that need to be considered to enable meaningful participation and to ensure experience of inclusion for cultural and linguistic minorities. The data were collected by semi-structured, in-depth interviews from 10 participants, five of whom were experts working with refugees and five of whom were of refugee backgrounds, using Teams video software. The interviews were recorded with consent and professionally transcribed for analysis. The data were analysed with thematic analysis, which included familiarization, coding, grouping, sorting, reviewing and revising, and, lastly, formulating the main themes and subthemes. The key themes pertaining to factors that need to be considered were centred on personal factors, cultural factors, factors related to the community and societal factors. The importance of providing feedback throughout the project, iterative communication with the participants, involving the target group at every stage of the project and the facilitation of a supportive and safe environment were emphasized. Participants had mostly positive perceptions of the co-creation process; they felt heard, included and safe enough to share their opinions and express their views. According to their viewpoints, the project was executed, managed and planned in a satisfactory manner, leading to gains on both personal and professional levels. Issues and challenges related to the project included communication breakdowns, prolonged duration, technical issues when conducting the remotely held meetings, and the feeling of insufficient inclusion of the target group in shaping the agenda and content of the project. The findings highlight the importance of a thorough and multifaceted approach in development projects involving cultural and linguistic minorities. This includes active engagement of the community under investigation, fostering effective and continuous interactive communication as well as ensuring the provision of feedback to participants during and after a project

The multidimensionality of urban nature : The well-being and integration of immigrants in Finland

Activities in natural environments greatly enhance human well-being and can support the integration of foreigners into a new country. This article explores how residents from different ethnic backgrounds in Turku, Finland appreciated and engaged with urban natural environments and how this engagement benefitted their well-being and, ultimately, their integration. Individuals enjoy activities in nature in particular ways, which may vary according to a person's physical, social, and psychological characteristics. This is especially true for immigrants who apply traditions from their home countries to the ways in which they interact with their new environment and enjoy activities in nature. Three dimensions of nature experience—social, emotional, and normative—emerged from the research, which, in turn, supported well-being and different types of integration: interactive, identificational, and cognitive. We argue that because these dimensions are an integral part of a person's identity and cultural background, familiarity with them may prove pivotal to constructing more welcoming and intercultural urban natural environments. Different approaches to engaging with nature should be considered in the design of urban environments and urban nature, as well as in integration programmes, to enhance the well-being and integration of foreign-background populations.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Mielen hyvinvoinnin lähettiläät kotoutumisen tukena : menetelmäopas YOUME-toimintaan

Tutkimusten mukaan maahanmuuttajien mielenterveyttä tuetaan parhaiten huomioimalla heidän kielelliset, kulttuuriset ja uskonnolliset yhteisönsä. YOUME-toimintamalli ottaa lähiyhteisöt mukaan mielen hyvinvoinnin edistämiseen. Mallissa valmennetaan lähettiläitä, jotka jakavat tietoa mielen hyvinvoinnista omissa verkostoissaan. Tarkoituksena on edistää maahanmuuttajien kotoutumista tukemalla mielen hyvinvointia. Menetelmäopas kuvaa, miten YOUME-toiminta aloitetaan ja mitä se vaatii. Toimintamalli on suunnattu sosiaali- ja terveysalan ammattilaisille, nuoriso-ohjaajille, yhteisöpedagogeille ja muille, joilla on ammatillista osaamista mielenterveysteemoista. Malli on kehitetty Turun ammattikorkeakoulun koordinoimassa YOUME – Mielenterveyden lähettiläät kotoutumisen voimavarana -hankkeessa, jossa olivat mukana Turun kriisikeskus, Yhdessä-yhdistys, Sateenkaari Koto ry ja Turun yliopistollisen keskussairaalan psykiatrian toimiala