OECD report criticises Finland for inefficient treatment of mental illness

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Treatment of mental illness has been found to be less efficient in Finland than the treatment of many other types of illness.
      A study conducted by the OECD finds that while Finland does well in other areas of health care, the country’s situation in mental health care is not so good; the comparative study finds that those suffering mental illness get insufficient treatment at a high cost for the rest of society.
     
The study examines the treatment of two common mental disorders - schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
      Both disturbances are about equally common. About one per cent of Finns suffer from schizophrenia, and perhaps a slightly higher percentage of Finns under the age of 35 suffer from bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic-depressive disorder. Nevertheless, it is not recognised easily, and treatment is often delayed, especially for those coming down with the illness at a young age.
      Schizophrenia was declared Finland’s most expensive disease, incurring costs that vary considerably from one region to another.
     
The OECD measures the efficiency of treatment by comparing the numbers of new, unplanned hospitalisations. They vary considerably within Europe, with the greatest numbers appearing in the Nordic Countries.
      Frequent hospitalisations suggest that outpatient care does not work as well as it should between hospitalisations, because there is not enough cooperation among the different parts which form the whole of the package of care.
      Similar observations were made by the National Audit Office of Finland in its September report on the effectiveness of legislation on mental health services. The report found that the law is too general and fragmented to achieve its intended results.
     
The observations did not come as a surprise to patients’ organisations.
      “We have been harping on this for more than ten years”, says Timo Peltovuori, executive director of the Finnish Central Association for Mental Health.
      “The quality level of mental health services has weakened. The day-to-day experience is that the situation of those who suffer has deteriorated.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Tough economic situation has delayed effect on mental health statistics (11.8.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat