School welfare services have been transferred to the welfare area as of January 1, 2023. The welfare area, OmaHäme, collaborates with the education provider, and there will be no changes to the services due to the transfer. Students can still visit their local school for student and educational welfare services such as health care, counseling, and psychologist services as before. 

In schools, student welfare is implemented both communally and individually. Communal student welfare includes, for example, measures to prevent bullying. Individual student welfare includes, for instance, appointments with the school health nurse and counselor. Student welfare is provided with the consent of the student or guardians, and their wishes are taken into account. Various experts can be invited to participate in the planning and implementation of support measures. A support group may include the student and their guardians, as well as a counselor, teacher, psychologist, and/or youth worker. 

School psychologist 

The school psychologist serves students aged 6–13 in pre-primary and primary schools. The school psychologist works as part of a multidisciplinary student welfare team, promoting students’ well-being and providing support for school attendance and psychological growth. The school psychologist offers consultations for teaching staff and collaborates with different experts. The school psychologist visits Tervakoski and Turenki schools weekly, as well as other schools and pre-primary units at agreed times. Individual appointments can be arranged through the student welfare group or by directly contacting the school psychologist by phone or via Wilma. The appointments generally take place at the main location of the family center at the Turenki health center or, if necessary, at school. The services of the school psychologist are intended for primary school and preschool students during their transition to school. 

You can contact the school psychologist if the child has: 

• problems related to school attendance and learning 
• difficulties with concentration and self-regulation 
• symptoms related to behavior and emotional well-being 

School counselor 

Counselors work with students at all educational levels and their families. School counselors support students’ mental and social well-being and prevent problems related to school attendance. Counselors mainly work in pre-primary units and schools. 

A student can seek the counselor’s services themselves or be referred by teachers, guardians, friends, school health services, or external parties (specialized medical care, family counseling, youth services, social work). 

You can contact the counselor when concerns arise about the following issues: 

• behavior (absences, concentration and motivation issues, defiance) 
• social relationships (e.g., bullying, friendships and dating relationships) 
• family problems (e.g., separations, custody issues, parenting issues, domestic violence, illness of a family member, financial concerns, substance abuse) 
• emotional life and mental health (e.g., anxiety, fears, nervousness, shyness, sadness) 

Counselors are involved in creating well-being, safety, and a positive study environment in schools and pre-primary units. Counselors provide consultation support to teaching staff and collaborate with different experts. 

School health services 

School health services are intended for children of primary school age. Young people studying in high school and vocational education institutions fall under student health care. 

All medical care for primary school-aged children is provided at health centers. 

At all schools and educational institutions, health nurses aim to assist in urgent medical situations and accidents while on site. Emergency services operate primarily at their own health center or at the joint emergency department of Kanta-Häme Central Hospital. In urgent situations, help can be obtained by calling 116117 or in emergencies 112. 

When to see a school health nurse? 

When you want to discuss… 

• growth and puberty 
• nutrition and eating issues 
• rest, sleep, and exercise issues 
• repeated school absences 
• the student’s substance use 
• issues related to dating and sexuality or if you need contraception advice. NOTE! All students in Janakkala under 25 years old are entitled to free contraception. 

or… 

• when you need help coordinating a chronic illness with school attendance/studies 
• when you are concerned about coping 
• when you need advice on using health services 

When to go to the health center or your doctor? 

• in cases of leisure accidents 
• in medical matters (e.g., ear and eye infections), 
• in the medication and follow-up of chronic diseases (e.g., asthma) 

In student health services (high school/vocational school), health care services are also provided for students, but this does not apply to primary school-aged children.