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I first became interested in mental healthcare during my early years living in Pori on Finland's west coast. My paternal grandmother had been institutionalized for decades with schizophrenia, and I heard my father talk about how her treatment had included a lobotomy. I was shocked that such an invasive procedure had not only been used widely but was also awarded a Nobel prize. I thought then that I could easily develop better ideas to help those suffering from severe mental health challenges – ones that honor their rights and dignity. But growing up in a rough neighborhood temporarily distracted me. I grew troubled, joined a neighborhood gang, and was nearly expelled from school. But aged 14, I rediscovered a natural aptitude for playing music, which would set me on a better path. This love of music and interest in more compassionate care for the institutionalized would lay the foundations for my future change-making.

 

Having worked as a music producer for recording studios, I experienced what I call a transformation at 30. I found myself playing music as social and political commentary more and more, focusing on poverty's effects. I also went to nursing school and studied musical therapy. Recalling my own challenges as a teen, I decided I wanted to work with mental health patients to boost their self-esteem and sense of agency. I began this work in hospitals and private foundations, and I was committed to helping them show what they could do.

 

I remember working with a schizophrenic patient whom he thought had felt disempowered by how hospital staff cared for him. I then started a choir with 12 mental health patients to create opportunities to express themselves and co-create. Doing so meant the patient could exercise agency in a new way, in a context where he had felt mainly powerless.

 

Still inspired by the disbelief of what my grandmother had suffered, I discovered how honoring these people's dignity enabled them to create and succeed. The professional shift from therapist or expert to facilitator in a clinical setting was something new in Finland's mental healthcare sector in 2007. We surveyed young adults dealing with

mental health challenges and found that what they wanted most was to do something meaningful and that they didn't want to feel isolated anymore. This led to a client-centered approach that emphasized strengths and skills over diagnoses. I became the project manager in 2009 for a project called ELVIS and directed its pilot over the next three years. A train the trainer model, an application from the crowdsourcing business model, was designed with two therapist colleagues and then helped GFP spread.

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WHAT CAN WE DO TOGETHER?

What can we do together?
IDEAS AND SOCIAL INNOVATIONS​
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For ideas and social innovations, we first create an understanding of the possibilities. One must first understand humanity and then think about how and what methods and tools are used.  Using Design Thinking has opened my world for more user-focused design in mental health services and creating social innovation. 

DEVELOPEMENT AND EXPERIMENTATION​
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I am a developer with experimentation. I can help your work community evolve and grow with modern methods. Experimenting with development is an opportunity to learn something new quickly and at the same time discover which services or models are not working. Digital tools provide opportunities to develop content through knowledge management.

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LECTURES AND KEYNOTES​
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The starting point for my speeches and keynotes is primarily to inspire and create hope. I want to provide additional insights into your own life and work. You can order Keynote, lecture, introduction, online sparring, or discussion panel facilitation. 

 

As a social entrepreneur, my perspective is primarily broad, bigger picture with practical examples. I stand out with the courage to say and challenge the audience to find their own perspective on different themes. I have lectured and given speeches extensively in schools, organizations, and seminars.

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In 2020, I gave about 30 speeches, training, and facilitation to the boards of organizations, municipalities, and companies, management teams, working groups, staff, and customers at events of various sizes with very positive feedback. In 2021 the amount was 50-60.

 

I work as an active moderator or presenter at social and health events. Often, event organizers take me along to plan events well in advance of their vision. I am energetic, inspiring and my distinctive advantage is the extensive content knowledge and the ability to casually confront even the most demanding audience.

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I have lectured on social innovation and social entrepreneurship in educational institutions, organizations, and seminars. My topics have always been about creativity (where do those innovations and ideas come from?), designed for the future of mental health, recovery orientation, intrinsic motivation, experimental culture, design thinking, organizational strategy, mission and vision, and art and culture methods in mental health work.

 

There has been a lot of good feedback from the remote training and lectures. With high-quality camera technology and sound, the feeling is quite different than you might imagine, and people are often moved and grateful, even if we don’t meet live. I help businesses and communities understand the importance of anticipating the future. Coaching on strategies, growth, development, and seizing the opportunities created by social innovation. All services with 100% satisfaction guarantee.

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