Our member Diakonissalaitos is expanding its work to strengthen young people’s well-being in Oulu by launching Katutaso, a new service supporting young people under 25 who use substances. The activities will begin in October 2026, with four social and healthcare professionals working directly with young people.
The service combines outreach street work and a low-threshold meeting place, allowing professionals to meet young people in the environments where they spend their time, including streets, shopping centres and areas near schools. Support will be based on each young person’s individual needs, including help in accessing services and dealing with challenges in everyday life.
The expansion responds to growing concerns about young people’s well-being and substance use. A 2025 survey in Oulu found that more than half of respondents considered drugs easily accessible and increasingly visible in everyday environments. Young people also expressed a need for more opportunities to receive support and openly discuss substance use, mental health and everyday pressures.
Through Katutaso, Diakonissalaitos aims to strengthen young people’s well-being and equality, reduce stigma and prevent drug-related deaths. The approach places particular importance on reaching young people early and providing support without unnecessary barriers.
The new service adds to Diakonissalaitos’ growing youth work in Oulu, where it has also opened an Olohuone activity for multicultural young people alongside its Vamos youth services.
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Diakonissalaitos expands its work strengthening youth well-being in Oulu