Enable preference cookies to be able to use automatic translations
The FLT-Step study investigates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early non-pharmacological treatments for clients with depression and anxiety symptoms. The psychotherapeutic treatments being studied have been shown to be effective and are commonly offered in primary healthcare in your wellbeing area.
Picture: Mostphotos
When you participate in the study, you will receive at least the same level of care as you would without participating in the study. Information is needed to develop early-stage services. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health disorders in Finland that impair quality of life and functional ability. The earlier they can be treated, the less they burden both the client and the healthcare system. When you participate in the study, you help to:
How to participate in the study: You may be suggested to participate in the study if you are at least 18 years old and seek treatment for anxiety or depression symptoms in an area that is part of the study. Participation is free and voluntary. Refusing or discontinuing the study does not affect your right to receive the care you need.
Seeking treatment in primary mental health services: We recommend filling out the Therapy Navigator before contacting our phone service. The navigator's information supports professionals in assessing the need for care. Call the substance abuse and mental health services phone service at 09 41911100 on weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Study progress: When you participate in the study in the Vantaa and Kerava wellbeing area, your depression or anxiety symptoms will be treated with one of the following treatment methods:
The treatment method is randomized because the treatments are evaluated in a randomized comparative study. Randomization allows for a reliable comparison of treatment methods. According to available information, all compared treatment methods are equally effective. The estimated duration of treatment is 1–4 months.
Additionally, we ask you to respond to follow-up surveys over five years from the start of treatment. The information about your care will be combined with data collected from national and regional registers. This requires no action from you and provides information on the long-term effects of the treatment.
More information about the study: Jasmin Sormunen, research nurse, jasmin.sormunen@hus.fi, 040 617 4376 Samu Pietilä, research nurse, samu.pietila@hus.fi, 040 354 8205 Katariina Mattila, research coordinator, katariina.m.mattila@hus.fi, 040 569 3617 Ainomaija Heiska-Johansson, head of primary mental health services, ainomaija.heiska-johansson@vakehyva.fi, 040 527 2162
Study leaders: Suoma Saarni, principal investigator (Southern Finland, Pirkanmaa) chief physician, professor, specialist in psychiatry HUS psychiatry suoma.saarni@hus.fi 040 481 7919 Max Karukivi, principal investigator (Western Finland) chief physician, associate professor, specialist in adolescent psychiatry University of Turku, psychiatry max.karukivi@utu.fi 050 327 4340
The study is coordinated by HUS and the Southwest Finland wellbeing area. In addition to the Vantaa and Kerava wellbeing area, eight other wellbeing areas and the city of Helsinki, as well as the universities of Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere, are involved. The study is funded by the European Union as part of Finland's sustainable growth program for 2024–2025 (NextGenerationEU).