Support services established following incident at Viitaniemi campus in Jyväskylä

A recent security incident at the Viitaniemi campus in Jyväskylä has deeply affected many students, their families, and the wider community. Sami Lahti, Director of Basic Education Services in Jyväskylä, commented that schools will address these events in the coming days. It has been announced through the communication channel Wilma that age-appropriate discussions will take place with students on August 30.

Central Finland’s welfare region is providing support for processing the incident. Their social and crisis services are available for those directly impacted and their families, reachable at the phone number 014 266 0149. Additionally, a dedicated support center has been established at the Nova Hospital’s auditorium C1 in Jyväskylä, open until at least 6 PM on Thursday.

Counseling services are also available on the Viitaniemi campus, with institutions informing students about the options. Support is provided through school health services, including counselors and psychologists. These professionals can be contacted at 014 266 2260 until 6 PM on Thursday and from 8 AM to 6 PM on Friday, September 30.

The welfare region has noted that individuals can seek help after experiencing unexpected and traumatic situations, whether for themselves or for concerned friends or relatives. Services are free and can be accessed anonymously if desired.

After a traumatic experience, it is common for mental and physical reactions to occur. The welfare region emphasizes that children, in particular, may respond differently, showing irritability, frustration, restlessness, clinginess, sleep disturbances, and physical symptoms like stomach pain or headaches. Open conversations about the incident are encouraged, with adults reminded not to overly conceal their own emotions.