Eeva-Riitta provides peer support to elderly individuals who are caring for loved ones with mental health issues. She understands the exhaustion caregivers face and knows where to seek support. Eeva-Riitta started as a peer before training as an expert by experience, seeking a more goal-oriented way to help others. She shares that, as an expert by experience, she is constantly learning herself.
Eero became sober as a pensioner seven years ago. He offers peer support in both Finnish and Swedish. Eero finds that being an expert by experience supports his own sobriety, and he was nominated for the role by his former rehabilitation unit. He says that encounters with clients are mutually rewarding, as they help him confront his past self.
Vellu has firsthand experience with substance abuse, gambling addiction, mental health issues, debt, and incarceration. He finds purpose in his work as an expert by experience, and helping others gives him a reason to get up in the morning. Vellu began his journey as a helper when people started seeking his advice, and he enjoys meeting individuals he might not otherwise encounter.
The newest addition to the team is Vesku, who has been sober for 49 years. He works as a peer, accompanying clients to their first AA meetings or other activities that promote abstinence from substances.
“Once upon a time, peer support helped me start a normal life. I felt safe within the community, and my friends allowed me to let go of bitterness and hatred. Now, I want to create the same sense of safety, without intoxicants, for others,” says Vesku.
The power of peer support
All four experts by experience agree that peer support is a cost-effective and mutually beneficial activity. It supports not only the clients but also the staff and the experts themselves. The experts say they step in when staff resources are stretched, helping to motivate clients and guide them through the initial stages of rehabilitation or providing ongoing support after rehabilitation.
The best feedback I get is when clients say they feel safe talking to me.
“Talking helps, and it’s easy to talk to a peer. With a peer, you know you're not alone. When you open up, it’s easier for others to open up too,” say Eeva-Riitta and Vesku. Eero adds that he can empathise deeply with the pain and anxiety clients face, having once used substances to cope with his own struggles.
“I can genuinely say, 'I understand you. I know exactly what you’re talking about.' The best feedback I get is when clients say they feel safe talking to me,” Vellu adds.
The experts by experience also support professionals in better understanding their clients. Eeva-Riitta attended a senior services development event where she shared her insights on how professionals can best support the families of individuals with mental health issues.
“Professionals were able to ask me just the right questions to help them support both the clients and their loved ones. It’s crucial to pay attention to the loved ones, too, as many become exhausted and fall ill themselves while caring for a sick relative,” she explains.
Mental health support services for the elderly
All the experts by experience work within the mental health support services for the elderly, which offer not only one-on-one meetings but also peer support groups to help people manage various life challenges. These include:
- Kööri is for elderly individuals looking to reduce or stop substance use.
- Peesi is for those whose loved ones struggle with substance abuse.
- Vire is for those dealing with depression or depressive symptoms.
- Toivo is for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one.
Additionally, two forms of rehabilitation are offered:
- Tsemppi: Social rehabilitation where clients meet with a social instructor at home or an agreed location for approximately one hour per week. This rehabilitation period lasts up to six months.
- Puhti: A group rehabilitation programme at the Roihuvuori Senior Centre, lasting six weeks with 24 hours of total rehabilitation.
Both Tsemppi and Puhti are aimed at elderly individuals with challenges related to substance use or mental health. Clients set their own rehabilitation goals in both programmes. Peer support groups and Tsemppi are free of charge, but a deductible is required for Puhti.
It’s wonderful to see how a person moves forward in life. There are so many different paths.
“Joining Tsemppi and Puhti is easy: you can call and inquire about services directly – no referral is needed. People seem to enjoy the groups and are actively engaged in discussions, receiving support from both peers and instructors,” says Eeva-Riitta.
“The personnel are kind and approachable,” adds Vellu. “The services have a low threshold, which is important for those who have experienced being ignored or treated unfriendly. But ultimately, it’s the personal encounter and professional expertise that matter the most.”
“Personally, I find it rewarding to see a client’s timeline,” Eero reflects. “A familiar client from Puhti might later be seen in outpatient rehabilitation services for substance abuse or in the Kööri peer support group. It’s wonderful to see how a person moves forward in life. There are so many different paths. I see clients at various stages of their journey, not just once in a single session.”
The experts by experience stress the significance of offering services specifically tailored to the elderly. Talking to people of the same generation makes it easier to connect, as there is a shared understanding of life experiences. In later life, conversations often centre around topics such as the fear of death or changing family dynamics. The family can grow through children’s families, and grandchildren can be important. However, some individuals may be estranged from their families due to past substance use, adding another layer of complexity.
What advice would the experts by experience give to pensioners considering seeking help?
“Start small – something good can begin with a small step. If you want to improve your well-being, you can begin anywhere. Perhaps the service centre’s sports group or book club could be a good place to start,” Eeva-Riitta suggests.
“There are plenty of options. Find the service that suits you,” adds Eero.
Or you can call Vellu. “Let’s do it together – I’ll come with you! We will find a suitable time,” he promises.
You can listen to the thoughts of expert by experience Eero and the other peers in the Käänteentekevää puhetta (Revolutionary talk) podcast. Eero talks about substance addiction in episode 4, Arvostus (Appreciation), of the second season. ( Arvostus - Käänteentekevää puhetta | Podcast on Spotify(Link leads to external service) - in Finnish only.) If you would like to speak with the senior services experts by experience, please contact Project Manager Maarit Ajalin at tel. +358 9 310 34888.
The mental health support services for the elderly are being developed through a sustainability project, aiming to improve well-being and prevent issues before they arise. This project is part of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland, funded by the EU Recovery Plan Next Generation EU, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and implemented by all wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki.
Text by Maarit Ajalin
