Psychology course enrolments have spiked in recent years in Finnish universities – yet while there are more psychologists graduating in Finland than retiring, professionals do not end up where they are needed the most.
Inconsistencies between the needs of municipalities' health services and professionals are straining the public sector, especially in more remote areas.
The city of Oulu has attempted to address the shortages by introducing new psychology training programmes.
"The new psychology training programme starting in September will be of great importance for the entire northern region. The shortage of psychologists is constant here," Kati Mäkitalo, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Oulu, said.
Apart from the University of Oulu, students can also study for a master's degree in psychology at universities in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Turku, Tampere and Joensuu.
A total of 345 students will begin their studies at the seven universities this autumn, an increase of 73 compared to the 2020 intake.
The increase in student admissions may not translate into lessening shortages, however. Finland has one of the highest densities of psychology professionals in terms of population in the world and already has an excess of psychology graduates, according to Jari Lipsanen, vice-chair of the Finnish Psychological Association.
"There are many psychologists, and the number is more than sufficient. On the other hand, the sector is so diverse that we believe that everyone will eventually find employment," Lipsanen said.
Wide scope, remote locations and low pay deter professionals from public sector
Deficient mental health support in schools is currently the biggest problem area, according to Lipsanen.
"The biggest reason for the shortage of school psychologists is the scope of the task. Schools are the first to face [psychological] issues, and one psychologist may be assigned to many schools simultaneously," he said.
Kymenlaakso and Central Ostrobothnia are currently experiencing the worst shortfalls.
According to Lipsanen, the remote location of job postings, low level of support and monitoring as well as poor wages affect the amount of job applications received by public mental health centres.
"The Psychological Association is struggling with issues related to pay. As this is a female-dominated sector, wage developments may not have been as rapid as in other sectors," he said.
Improved internship opportunities a possible solution
The Psychological Association is collaborating with the universities' psychology training departments' umbrella body Psykonet to fix the problem.
A joint report published in May revealed that more flexibility in various respects and better pay are driving job applications away and into the private sector.
The study also concluded that info sessions could attract more new applicants to less popular locations and work experience opportunities could be utilised to attract interns to stay after graduation.
Psychology studies include a mandatory five-month internship. There are, however, severe shortages of internships nationwide, as hospital districts do not receive adequate funding from the government.
According to Åbo Akademi psychology professor Petra Grönholm-Nyman, better-supported internships could direct students to different fields and locations.
"The shortage of psychologists is a local issue and degree programmes cannot influence students' choice of job postings. Working conditions and pay are thus of great importance," she said.
Mika Hintsanen, a psychology professor at the University of Oulu, added that more effective cooperation between small municipalities could be another way of solving the regional shortage of psychologists.
"By providing an internship place for a student, a small locality could attract psychologists to stay. But there is also a need for job guidance from older professionals, as the challenges at hand are often complex and the work can be mentally demanding," Hintsanen explained.
Finally, recent years have seen training programmes invest in technological solutions in the sector. Remote receptions are becoming increasingly common and could provide yet another solution to the mental health staff shortages in more remote areas, the professor added.
