In 2013, the Lapinlahti hospital, Finland's first psychiatric hospital and the symbol of mental health care in the country with a 170-year history, stood empty and forgotten. Then a group of mental health activists rolled up their sleeves with a vision of transforming the dilapidated place of heritage into an open centre for mental health, culture and the arts. Siru Valleala, a representative of the association Pro Lapinlahti which runs the centre, told us that Lapinlahden Lähde is now first and foremost an inclusive place where stigma and prejudice are left at the gate and where everyone feels welcome.

What prompted you to start your project?

In 2013, the Lapinlahti Hospital, Finland's first psychiatric hospital, built in 1841, stood empty. The City of Helsinki had no plans for its future. Full of heritage and surrounded by beautiful parkland, the historic site was forgotten and dilapidated. Concerned about this tragic situation, a group of mental health activists started sharing their vision and dreams for the place - to transform the Lapinlahti hospital and parkland into an open centre for mental health, culture and the arts.

That was the beginning of what is today known as Lapinlahden Lähde – “the spring of Lapinlahti”.  Activities build on the area’s historical and architectural significance in the heart of Lapinlahti Bay, inspired by 170 years of mental health work. The focus was shifted from treating illness to promoting wellbeing for all walks of life. Lapinlahden Lähde is now a living example of the ongoing anti-stigma work and a paradigm shift towards promoting the positive.

In the past, Lapinlahti had been the flagship of psychiatry and a place where mental health care was constantly being developed. Instead, now the mental health activists who had worked for the Pro Lapinlahti Mental Health Association that was founded in 1988 – when Lapinlahti was still an active hospital – wanted to create an innovative centre for promoting mental health, using all the knowledge available in the 21st century, a place that embodies the concrete paradigm shift from treating mental illness to promoting mental wellbeing.

How was your project received? Did you have any feedback from the people you helped?  Do you have an example to give us?

In the beginning it was a challenge getting people to come through the gates. The area had been closed to the public for 170 years while it was used as a psychiatric hospital, and despite interest and curiosity it was difficult to convince people that they were welcome to come and have a look round. Slowly but surely, people joined in the activities and events and enthusiastically helped to develop them further, volunteering and sharing ideas. Artists and performers brought their art exhibitions and cultural events to Lapinlahden Lähde and today we have more than 400 events a year, and 50–60 yearly art exhibitions. Lapinlahti has become an open living room for everyone in Helsinki, promoting mental wellbeing and reducing loneliness and social exclusion every single day of the year.

”When I got involved with this initiative I felt it was absolutely lovely that I could be here, helping to breathe new life into this place ... the air blows all the heavy things away.” (Cresswell-Smith et al 2022)

Lapinlahti hospital is today viewed as a very safe and inclusive place. A place where you always feel welcome, regardless of what kind of day you are having or what kind of life situation you find yourself in. There is meaning in Lapinlahti’s past as a psychiatric hospital. It gives you permission to be vulnerable and there is an openness about mental health difficulties which is absolutely unique. We build on a strong sense of community and everyone can safely explore their own strengths. Stigma and discrimination are left at the gate, and we at Lapinlahden Lähde pride ourselves on including everyone.

Lapinlahti's operations have been developed in cooperation with the owner, the City of Helsinki, and this development work has been a prerequisite for the entire operation. Far-reaching political decisions are currently being taken on the future ownership of the area, and we hope that the success of the current operations will be fully taken into account.

How will you use this specific funding to provide further help in the community? Are you already planning new projects?

We will continue to develop our activities so that even more people can take part and benefit from them. We have recently launched an exciting project for people recovering from mental health disorders which aims to increase access and even rights to cultural activities. More specifically, helping people to find their own way to achieve cultural expression, to figure out what works for them in terms of mental wellbeing culture and the arts. This is what we will use the generous prize money awarded here for.

In your opinion, what kind of collective action is needed to reduce the stigma that often accompanies mental health problems? Can art have a role in empowering people with mental health problems?      

We need to provide activities where people with different experiences and backgrounds can meet. Building activities not based on health status or life circumstances creates unique human encounters and forges meaningful connections between people from different backgrounds. Exploring mental health through different means such as the arts has increased awareness and understanding. Art has an exceptional way of bringing people together and offers new ways to deal with even painful issues. Art channels expression and builds opportunities for people to be seen and heard. The power of being heard can change a person's life and their perception of themselves.