Mental Health Week held in the shadow of students’ mental health crisis
This week is truly necessary due to the ongoing shortage of mental health resources for young people and students in Finland and the excessively long waiting times for treatment and therapy. It is crucial that addressing the mental health crisis among young people and students is prioritized in Finland, with significant investments in well-being rather than cuts.
Psychological symptoms among students have increased throughout the 2010s and are more common than in the entire population (THL & Kela 2021). According to a student survey of Tekniikan akateemiset (TEK), nearly half of technical students are often or constantly worried about their well-being (TEK 2022). As many as 36 per cent of business students are highly dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their own psychological well-being (Suomen Ekonomit 2023). According to the health and well-being survey of higher education students, approximately 24% of all higher education students feel lonely.
’The mental health crisis among students is an issue that affects the entire future of Finland. It’s crucial to curb the rise in mental health symptoms and illbeing among young people and students. Changing the direction of student well-being requires investments instead of cuts!’ comments Member of the AYY Board Wilma Branders.
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Ecological sustainability policy has been updated – AYY transitions to a plant-based policy
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) has updated its ecological sustainability policy, which supports AYY’s daily operations. The new document directs AYY to serve plant-based food and drinks at its events. In the future, food waste will be minimised, and 30 percent of air and ship travel costs will be offset towards environmental activities.
AYY is taking steps to improve equity in its operations – new equity plan approved by RepCo
Aalto University Student Union has an equity plan, first in AYY’s history, that was approved in the Representative Council meeting on 21.11.2024. Equity plan will guide AYY towards more accessible and inclusive ways for our students to participate in AYY’s events and operations.
Good news for residents in shared apartments: Here’s how you can receive your own housing allowance while living in a friends’ apartment!
A joint liability rental agreement may affect the housing allowance, as Kela typically grants only one housing allowance for a shared household, which is influenced by the income of both residents. However, residents in friends’ apartments may receive separate housing allowances if Kela reviews them as separate households. This requires tenants with a joint liability rental agreement to draft a mutual possession agreement for the apartment and submit it as an appendix with their housing allowance application to Kela. Tenants draft the possession agreement by themselves.