Units
Units within the Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research (MAO)
This department consists of seven units:
The objective of this unit is to study the neurobiological background of alcoholism and substance abuse as well as the health hazards related to alcohol and the clinical treatment of substance addiction, and to develop the relevant expertise in Finland.
This unit provides services related to drug analytics (alcohol, drug and medicine determinations) and acts as an expert centre for addictive substances. It also conducts drug research, especially drug and doping studies concerning stimulants.
Mental Health Promotion Unit (MTY)
This unit works to study and promote mental health and the factors determining it. Additionally, the unit focuses on studying the prevalence and causes of mental disorders and symptoms and on developing their prevention and treatment.
Mood Disorder Research Unit (MHY)
The research of this unit involves several major research projects focusing on various aspect of mood disorders, in particular their clinical epidemiology, focusing in particular to a) outcome in terms of chronicity, relapses and recurrences; b) suicidal behaviour (completed and attempted suicide, suicidal ideation), c) disability (overall level of functioning, social adjustment, sick leaves and disability pensions), and d) quality and continuity of treatment provided in health care.
Research Unit for Severe Mental Disorders (VMY)
The Research Unit on Severe Mental Disorders comprises a set of studies focusing on psychotic and other severe mental disorders. Our current scope is broad: we are investigating environmental and genetic risk factors and developmental precursors of psychotic disorders, prodromal phase of psychosis, epidemiology, comorbidity, and treatment of psychotic disorders, and neuropsychological impairments and brain structural and functional abnormalities related to psychotic disorders and liability to psychosis.
Adolescent Mental Health Unit (NMY)
This unit produces information about the mental health of adolescents and the most important mental disorders among young people. Areas of focus include depressive disorders and substance abuse as well as their risk factors, course and treatment.
Addiction Prevention and Treatment Unit (RHY)
This unit was established in 2006 and is a continuation of the clinical team of Alcohol Research Center (ATY). Its mandate is to protect, maintain and improve the health of the Finnish people and also to prevent addiction related health problems and to evaluate and implement new treatments on substance abuse.
