Next Step: How can Finland’s existing upper secondary school career counselling system effectively support students’ mental health needs?
- Ichiro Hondo, Lucia de Gregorio, Daniela Alama, Danyu Yang
- Jul 2
- 21 min read
Introduction
Career guidance constitutes an important component of the Finnish education system, especially at the general upper secondary school level. Indeed, the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (714/2018) states that all students are entitled to academic, personal, and career guidance. In line with such legislation, current policies and Finnish curricula highlight the importance of providing career guidance services of high quality at this level of education.
For instance, the Finnish National Core Curriculum (NCC) for General Upper Secondary Education of 2019, implemented since 2021, states that guidance counselling aims to support students in developing the necessary competences and knowledge for them to further their education and successfully contribute to society (main goal) (EDUFI, 2025b). In line with that, the curriculum highlights that all students should benefit from support to plan for their future studies and transition into the working life (sub-goal) (EDUFI, 2021). To achieve this, students should benefit from scheduled activities as well as personal and group counselling (Cedefop, 2021). Besides, they have the right to receive career guidance services for one year after they finish upper secondary education (Toni & Vuorinen, 2020).
Despite such efforts to support students in their career endeavours, there is still a gap between the goals of career guidance set in the NCC and the outcomes related to students’ mental health in the career domain. As detailed above, guidance counselling and, particularly, career guidance is devoted to support students in developing relevant skills so they can continue their education and contribute to society and surrounding communities (EDUFI, 2025b). However, students have encountered difficulties in mastering the necessary skills to address mental health issues, which negatively impacts their career and overall development.
For instance, burnout levels among general upper secondary school students in Finland has increased in the last decade (Read et al., 2022; Söderholm 2024). In line with that, Parviainen (2025) identified that 20% of students who participated in her study reported signs of psychological ill-being during their first year of general upper secondary education. Such mental health challenges negatively impact students’ career development as these limit their ability to engage in career exploration processes, identify their strengths and interests, and examine further career paths that align with their aptitudes (Koivisto, 2010). As a result, they could experience difficulties when transitioning from general upper secondary school to higher education or into the workforce. In addition, Koivisto (2010) and Kavlak (2018) identified that students usually express the need to learn how to navigate mental health challenges when seeking career counselling and support in Finland.
It is important to note that the gap between the goals of career guidance and the outcomes related to students’ mental health in the career domain (main problem) remains due to certain factors (sub-problems). One of these is that career guidance policies do not prevent students from setting high expectations for themselves. It is worth mentioning that the NCC for General Upper Secondary Education offers guidelines about the main subject areas students should pursue at this level of education (EDUFI, 2025b). However, certain schools do not have a clear policy that sets a limit on the number of courses students can take each year nor does it offer a strategy to guide students through the course selection process (Kavlak, 2018; Suwalska, 2024). Thus, some students take a high number of courses because they have high expectations for their future but are uncertain about the career path they will pursue. Therefore, they overprepare by enrolling in many classes (Kavlak, 2018; Suwalska, 2024). However, it has been noted that high internal and external pressures to meet academic or career expectations contribute to high levels of burnout among general upper secondary school students (Kaleva, 2023; Parviainen et al., 2021).
Within this context, it is important to recognise that the lack of a policy setting a limit on the number of courses students should take reflects the prevalent flexibility within the Finnish educational culture. While this flexibility allows students to choose different courses and personalise their learning experience, a clear guidance strategy on course selection is also necessary (Sahlberg, 2007). This strategy should be part of career guidance policies at schools to help students set appropriate future expectations, and prevent course overload and burnout, particularly when they choose courses as part of their preparation for post-secondary education.
In addition, the aforementioned gap is due to insufficient access to resources that help students develop skills to manage mental health issues within the career domain. Another element that characterises Finnish educational culture is lifelong guidance, which refers to the “activities and services that allow individuals of all ages to make meaningful education, career path and income plans and decisions” (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment [MEAE, 2024). Consequently, it is essential that upper secondary school students do not only receive information on how to prepare for university examinations but also reinforce personal and career management competences that contribute to long-term positive outcomes in terms of their well-being, career development, and societal contributions (MEAE, 2024).
In the Finnish educational context, school counsellors are responsible for providing support in the academic, socio-emotional, and career domains (EDUFI, 2025a). Therefore, in addition to referring students to external mental health professionals when necessary, they should also implement initiatives that help students develop relevant skills to manage mental health issues. Hinkelman and Luzzo (2007) highlight the importance of taking into account the interaction between career and mental health challenges when designing strategies aimed at strengthening students’ career development. However, mental health concerns have not been prioritised in large-scale career intervention programmes or career guidance policies in Finland (Koivisto, 2010). Thus, students do not have enough access to resources that support them in developing the necessary skills to manage mental health challenges, which limits their capability to make informed decisions regarding their future studies and career path (Marks et al., 2021).
Furthermore, the previously mentioned gap has remained due to the insufficient opportunities to interact with professionals to address career concerns. In this regard, the NCC states that students should have opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned into real-world scenarios. However, these opportunities are limited at the general upper secondary school level, particularly throughout the career exploration process (Kavlak, 2018). Even though certain schools organise visits to companies for interested students, this is not a practice widespread across the country. In addition, students have limited opportunities to connect with professionals who are working in their field of interest and address any career concerns they may have, which increases their stress levels (Kavlak. 2018). Therefore, it is essential to develop a nation-wide initiative that provides students with continuous opportunities to connect with professionals, ask questions and address potential concerns, helping to reduce stress as they prepare for post-secondary education.
Considering the current gap between the goals of career guidance set in the NCC and the outcomes related to students’ mental health in the career domain, the following research question has been proposed: How can Finland’s existing upper secondary school career counselling system effectively support students’ mental health needs?
Theoretical framework
Career development
Career development constitutes a dynamic process that allows individuals to design, advance and/or change their career paths throughout their life. It involves developing skills and acquiring knowledge to set viable goals regarding future studies and career aspirations (Career Development Institute, n/d.; Chen, 1998). Career development is reflected in vocational behaviour as individuals make several decisions to prepare themselves and achieve their career goals. In this regard, theories such as the Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) Theory offer a detailed analysis of how individuals’ vocational behaviour is developed (Marks et al., 2021).
Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) Theory
The CIP Theory is a theoretical framework that offers valuable insights in the career counselling field. It conceptualises vocational behaviour as the career choices individuals make regarding their education (e.g., the major they will pursue), occupation (their professional activity or job), and employment (the specific position they will apply for or hold) (Sampson et al., 2020). To make these choices responsibly, individuals need to engage in career exploration processes where they evaluate potential career paths based on their interests and resources.
In this regard, the CIP theory involves two mini theories, one of which is the CIP of vocational behaviour. This focuses the processes that underlie individuals’ career choices throughout their life, such as to what extent they are exploring different paths they are interested in pursuing (career exploration) (Marks et al., 2021). This mini theory argues that the elements involved in the career exploration process are organised in a pyramid of information processing domains, which comprises three levels: self and options knowledge, decision making skills, and executive (metacognitive) processing (Marks et al., 2021; Sampson et al., 2020).
Concerning the decision-making skills domain, the CASVE Cycle offers a detailed analysis of the stages involved when making career-related decisions. (Marks et al., 2021; Sampson et al., 2020). First, the Communication stage focuses on addressing the gaps between the individuals’ current situation and their desired state within the career domain. As part of this process, career counsellors should examine external and internal pressures that could impact the individuals’ current situation (Marks et al., 2021). Then, the Analysis and Synthesis stages focus on exploring and pre-selecting, along with the student, options related to future studies and career paths that align with their interests, aptitudes, and resources. Finally, the Valuing and Execution stages focus on analysing the benefits and costs of the most important options for the student, and based on that, designing a plan to execute these options (Sampson et al., 2020).
It is important to note that the CIP of vocational behaviour and the individual’s mental health are highly related (Marks et al., 2021). For instance, students who experience high levels of stress could have difficulties to analyse different career paths that align with their aptitudes and, therefore, encounter challenges when committing to a plan. Similarly, if students perceive insufficient progress throughout their career exploration process, they could experience high levels of anxiety (Sampson et al., 2020). Therefore, it is essential that students’ mental health issues are addressed as part of the career exploration and decision-making processes. This is the focus of the second mini theory: the CIP of career intervention. This mini theory proposes a Differentiated Service Delivery Model to implement career counselling initiatives, based on students’ level of readiness. It states that students with high levels readiness tend to have low external pressures and do not usually experience serious mental health issues, which make them feel capable of engaging in career exploration processes (Sampson et al., 2020). Therefore, they will benefit from guidance in specific topics and can even explore by themselves resources recommended by their counsellors. Students with moderate levels of readiness either have external pressures to succeed in their future careers or feel less capable of engaging in career exploration processes due to occasional mental health issues (Sampson et al., 2020). These students benefit from brief staff-assisted services (Sampson et al., 2020) (e.g., drop-in sessions and group workshops on setting appropriate expectations and managing stress when exploring careers).
On the other hand, students with low levels of readiness have both external pressures and low capability to explore career paths due to mental health issues (e.g., high levels of stress, negative self-talk) (Marks et al., 2021). These students need long-term guidance. Even though school counsellors should evaluate if they can be referred to a psychologist or other professional, they should also implement initiatives to enhance individuals’ well-being throughout their career exploration processes (Sampson et al., 2020). These activities could focus on helping students discover their interests and aptitudes in a low-stress environment, addressing career concerns they may have, and minimising negative self-talk when exploring future educational and career paths.
Piloting of the research
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative research approach (Appendix A), utilizing semi structured interviews to explore students’ experiences with career counseling regarding mental health issues. The approach allows in-depth understanding and provides rich, detailed insights into students’ perceptions, challenges, and suggestions regarding career counseling services.
Participants
A convenience sampling method was used for feasibility in the early research stages. Participants included two general upper secondary school students—one in their second year and the other in their third. Both transferred to Finnish schools during middle primary school and now attend public schools in different cities, one in Espoo and the other in Helsinki.
Data Collection
Semi-structured interviews were conducted to allow flexibility while ensuring key topics were covered, creating an open and comfortable discussion environment. One interview was conducted in person, the other online. A pre-designed set of fourteen questions (Appendix B) covered three main themes: mental health challenges, career counseling gaps, and suggested improvements. Follow-up questions were used to gain deeper insights. Ethical considerations included obtaining guardian and student consent, ensuring confidentiality, and securing permission before recording interviews.
Data Analysis
A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the interview data. This method was chosen to identify recurring themes in students’ responses regarding their satisfaction with career counseling services, the influence of emotional factors such as stress on career decision making, and their recommendations for improving career counseling to better support mental health needs.
Results and Analysis
Positive Aspects of Career Counselling
Students expressed overall satisfaction with career counseling and with mental health support. Student L noted that Finnish high schools provide excellent guidance, with teachers actively fostering emotional well-being. Another student highlighted access to psychologists, curators, and nurses. While some students have clear career goals early on, others explore different subjects before deciding. However, strong career counseling support helps prevent severe anxiety about future prospects.
These accounts reaffirm that mandatory career counseling enhances student well-being, aligning with Finland’s General Upper Secondary Education Act (Lukiolaki, 714/2018). Schools integrate career counseling systematically, offering semester-long courses with four sessions per semester, each lasting 75 minutes.
Finnish schools also promote well-being by encouraging balanced academic expectations. Student L reported minimal pressure from teachers, parents, or himself, avoiding significant stress. Additionally, Finland’s emphasis on student well-being and the absence of high-stakes exams create a low-stress environment that supports both academic and personal development.
Challenges and Student Perspectives
Despite its benefits, students also face challenges in career counseling related to mental health. Student L noted that the first year of upper secondary school is a major transition, with increased coursework complexity and volume. Previously confident in mathematics, he struggled in first-year exams, leading to frustration and self-doubt. These experiences align with Parviainen (2025), who identified early mental health challenges among first-year students, suggesting that this transition impacts psychological well-being.
Another student, despite receiving guidance on course load, opted for a heavier workload due to high personal expectations. The resulting stress and exhaustion, especially while exploring career paths, support research findings that excessive academic pressure contributes to student burnout (Kaleva, 2023; Parviainen et al., 2021).
Improvement Areas in Career Counselling
Supporting students in managing academic and emotional challenges is vital in career counseling. Student L shared that during his transition to upper secondary school, he chose to handle difficulties independently rather than seeking help. This highlights the need to foster self-reliance while addressing mental health. We propose providing students with diverse support platforms, including learning materials, self-help tools, and safe spaces for peer discussions.
Sharing best practices in mental health support can enhance career counseling. One student recalled that their school offered meditation but lacked widespread implementation. This underscores the need for a national platform where Finnish upper secondary schools can exchange successful initiatives. This insight inspired the development of an online resource sharing platform to improve collaboration and mental health support in career counseling.
Design concept and justification
The design concept revolves around the creation of a comprehensive, user-friendly website aimed at supporting upper secondary school students in Finland by addressing their mental health needs within the context of career guidance. This platform has been designed under the CIP Theory and the Driver Diagram Framework (Bennet & Provost, 2015); therefore, it aims to help students feel supported in managing mental health challenges as they navigate their career exploration processes (outcome). To achieve this, the website is divided into two main sections: School-based Resources and Independent Resources. Each section is tailored to meet the specific needs of students, with a focus on enhancing self-awareness and self-regulation, prioritizing setting achievable goals, and increasing accessibility to mental health and career-related resources (Change concept - CC).

Figure 1. Driver Diagram as a base for the design concept
School-Based Resources
This section is designed to be integrated into the school curriculum and structured around the three years of general upper secondary education. Each year focuses on different aspects of career development and mental health, gradually building students' skills and knowledge.
∙ Year 1: the focus is on self-awareness and self-exploration (CC). Students engage in activities, such as workshops and group sessions that help them identify their strengths and interests while addressing early signs of burnout or academic stress (SCI). These activities align with the Communication stage of the CASVE Cycle, where students learn to identify gaps between their current state and desired career goals (Marks et al., 2021).
∙ Year 2: the focus shifts to setting achievable goals (CC) during career exploration to foster self-monitoring (SD) and, consequently, ensure responsible decision-making among pupils (PD). Such decision-making skills correspond to the Analysis and Synthesis stages of the CASVE Cycle. Students explore conventional and non-conventional career paths, aligning their choices with their interests, aptitudes, and resources. The sessions include discussions on how mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety or self-doubt) impact career decision-making, and strategies to overcome these challenges (SCI) (Koivisto, 2010; Walker & Peterson, 2012).
∙ Year 3: the focus is on career execution and transition planning, corresponding to the Valuing and Execution stages. Students evaluate the benefits and costs of their chosen career paths, reaffirm their achievable goals (CC), and develop concrete plans for transitioning to higher education/workforce. The sessions also address the emotional and psychological challenges associated with this transition, such as fear of failure or uncertainty about the future (SCI). That way, students have access to mental health resources (SD) to manage these emotions and build resilience (which is a skill to enhance mental health in the career domain: PD), ensuring a smoother transition to post-secondary life (Halonen, 2020; Marks et al., 2021).
Independent (Self-Directed) Resources
This section contains additional resources (SCI) to increase access (CC) to career exploration tools and mental health materials that students can explore on their own. It includes resources such as:
∙ Interactive Career Exploration Tools: These tools allow students to explore different career paths based on their interests, skills, and values. The tools are designed to promote self-awareness (SD) and, consequently, self-efficacy (a skill to enhance mental health: PD) by helping students identify their strengths and areas for improvement (Sampson et al., 2020).
∙ Mental Health Resources: Articles, videos, and exercises (SCI) focused on managing stress and anxiety, helping students develop executive processing skills (self-monitoring) (SD), essential for making informed career decisions (PD) (Marks et al., 2021).
∙ Alumni and Professional Networks: Students have access (CC) to alumni and professionals in their fields of interest, who will provide constructive feedback (SD) and answer career related questions. That way, relatedness between students and their mentors will increase (PD), addressing the gap in real-world interaction previously identified (Kavlak, 2018).
Justification and Academic Argumentation
Based on the CIP Theory, Marks et al. (2021) states that mental health challenges, such as stress and anxiety, can significantly impact students' ability to engage in career exploration and make informed decisions. By integrating mental health resources into the career guidance process, the website aims to address these challenges and promote holistic development.


Figure 2. CIP Theory as a base for the design concept
The structure of the website also aligns with the Finnish National Core Curriculum (NCC), which emphasizes the importance of lifelong guidance and career management skills. The NCC highlights the need for students to develop self-awareness, decision-making skills and career management competences to ensure a smooth transition to higher education or the workforce (Finnish National Agency for Education, 2021). The website's focus on these competences, particularly through the CASVE Cycle and Driver Diagram, ensures that students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of career decision-making.



Figure 3. Overview of the design concept: Youth Mental Health Hub (website)
Link to the website:
https://sites.google.com/u/0/d/10Ht9jtKqa_W3ClrUJwUq4ZsKJUzoKPBl/p/1PwNVX76hIwu 1Ne6VDTctO_geWiwP5MMm/preview
Peer feedback
Counting on peer feedback throughout the different phases of the project has been fruitful. At first, we were focusing our main problem on the gap between career counselling policies and specific mental health outcomes within the career domain (e.g., anxiety, burnout). However, after presenting our advances, we were suggested to address mental health challenges in general. This suggestion was based on the limited literature available, as this constitutes a relatively new research topic within the Finnish context. In addition, we identified that certain mental health challenges are interconnected - e.g., constant academic stress can lead to higher levels of burnout (Parviainen, 2025). Therefore, we came to the decision that it would be effective to address mental health in general (first iteration) and, for future studies, focus on specific mental health challenges.
Furthermore, by discussing our main problem with the teacher and classmates, we were encouraged to reflect on the extent to which mental health needs should be addressed in career guidance policies and career-related nationwide programs. For this, we refined our research and decided to address the main problem through the lens of the CIP Theory (second iteration). One of the strengths of the CIP Theory is its focus on the intersection between mental health and vocational behaviour as it states that mental health challenges negatively impact students’ readiness to make career-related decisions (Marks et al., 2021). Thus, mental health needs and career concerns should be addressed in tandem (Halonen, 2020). Therefore, we opted to continue focusing on the importance of prioritising mental health needs in career guidance policies, while also grounding our research questions in the CIP Theory.
When creating our design concept, we also had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with our classmates, who offered valuable feedback. For instance, through the “Wild ideas” exercise, we were inspired to create a digital initiative that improves the access to mental health resources in the career domain. This suggestion aligned with the results obtained from our pilot since the interviewed students highlighted that they would benefit from activities that help them set appropriate expectations when preparing for post-secondary education. Based on that, we opted to design a website (third iteration), instead of a written document, that could be part of a nationwide initiative to address students’ mental health needs in the career domain.
However, when presenting our design concept to obtain more feedback, we were told that strategies like meditation are not factors that support mental health in a direct way, and that it was better to choose other resources for the website. Based on that, we searched more literature and identified that meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation, allows students to release stress and enhance their psychosomatic health. Nonetheless, this strategy should be complemented by long-term counselling (Erbe & Lohrmann, 2015; Yang et al., 2009). Therefore, we opted to include mindfulness meditation apps on the website to help reduce stress levels among students. Besides, we included resources for counselors to use in group and individual sessions, such as self-care journals, self-awareness workshops, and activities to mitigate negative self-talk, all aimed at promoting mental health in the career domain (fourth iteration).
Effectiveness and impact
Effectiveness and limitations of the design concept
The proposed website effectively integrates career guidance and mental health support, addressing the interconnected challenges faced by upper secondary students. As outlined in the design concept, it is aligned with the CASVE Cycle, ensuring a progressive build-up of skills and knowledge throughout the three years of secondary education. By incorporating both school-based and independent resources, the website would provide a comprehensive support system tailored to students with varying needs and learning preferences.
One of the main benefits of this approach is its holistic nature. Rather than treating career counseling and mental health as separate domains, it integrates self-awareness and resilience into career development. According to the Yankelovich Center for Social Science research (2019), high school students gain two key benefits from attending alumni engagement events: practical knowledge and motivation through alumni interactions. By including alumni networks, the approach addresses the gap in real-world exposure for students making career decisions. Furthermore, the adaptability of the platform to different educational settings makes it a scalable solution that can be integrated into existing career education programs. The website can be implemented in multiple schools with relatively low long-term costs. Basic ones can range from a few hundred euros to approximately €6,000, while custom platforms may cost between €6,000 and €15,000. Larger corporate-level platforms can exceed €50,000 (WPKY, n.d.). However, once developed, the website can be used across schools, making it a cost effective solution over time.
However, certain limitations must be considered. Schools with limited resources or staff expertise in mental health support may face challenges in execution. Additionally, while independent resources offer flexibility, they rely on students’ motivation and digital literacy to engage effectively. Not all students proactively seek help, and those experiencing severe mental health issues might require more in-person professional support than a website can provide. So, this material can be used as a supplementary tool.
To enhance accessibility and engagement, future improvements could include developing a mobile-friendly version or developing an AI-driven chatbot for real-time guidance. Regular user feedback collection and data analysis would help refine the platform based on student and educator experiences. Additionally, offering online training modules or collaborating with mental health organizations could support teachers in effectively implementing the platform.
Situating the concept in current educational and societal contexts and fitting into educational sciences and society as a whole
This concept aligns with current educational trends and policies that emphasize holistic student development (Finland education hub, 2023). In Finland, for example, the National Core Curriculum (NCC) prioritizes lifelong career management skills, making this website a valuable supplementary resource. Through interviews, we identified gaps between existing policies and the actual outcomes of career counseling, particularly regarding mental health. These include limited access to future-oriented strategies for enhancing mental health and insufficient opportunities for students to interact with professionals to address career concerns. The proposed website serves as a bridge to fill these gaps by providing necessary resources and structured guidance.
From an educational sciences perspective, this concept aligns with research on the importance of cognitive and emotional development in decision-making. Career courses based on the Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory effectively improve students’ career knowledge and decision-making, cognitive information processing skills and anxiety about career concern (Osborn et al., 2020). The CASVE Cycle plays a key role in equipping individuals with the knowledge to become independent career decision-makers, providing a framework for future decisions while enhancing critical thinking about careers (Sampson, Peterson, & Reardon, 1989). Integrating these theories into career education ensures a structured approach, supported by empirical research on effective career counseling. In practice, this concept could contribute to policy discussions on integrating career education and mental health support in schools. By providing a structured online platform, it could reduce the burden on school counselors while making guidance accessible to a broader audience. This aligns with Finland’s goal of fostering independent, lifelong learners ready for both academic and professional transitions.
Societal trends indicate an increasing need for mental health support within education. The rise of anxiety and depression among young people (EDUFI, 2025b), the growing stress levels, digitalization of education, and labor market uncertainty all underscore the importance of this platform. Addressing mental health within career guidance has broader societal implications, potentially leading to better workforce preparedness and overall well
being among young adults (Robertson, 2013). We believe students who develop self-awareness and resilience early on may be better equipped to handle career uncertainties, reducing the likelihood of job dissatisfaction and burnout later in life. The platform’s focus on self-directed learning also promotes a crucial skill in today’s rapidly changing job market and academic context.
In conclusion, while the design concept presents a well-rounded approach to career guidance and mental health, its success depends on institutional support, funding, and continuous adaptation to user needs. Future enhancements should focus on accessibility and professional support integration to maximize its effectiveness and long-term impact. By integrating mental health support into career counseling, this initiative not only promotes student well-being but also contributes to a more mentally resilient, adaptable and career-ready workforce, ultimately benefiting both individuals and society as a whole.
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Robertson, P. (2013). Career guidance and public mental health. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 13(2), 155-167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775- 013-9246-y Project file can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zMhQB4p2ovnK0iTTnqIUDLAf1fLSnx6v/view?usp=sharing About the author This group project was developed by Ichiro Hondo, Lucia de Gregorio, Daniela Alama, and Danyu Yang, students from the Changing Education program. As part of the Topical Issues in Education course, their collaborative work explores key contemporary challenges and developments within the field of education. Drawing on diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches, the group aims to contribute thoughtful analysis and innovative insights to the ongoing discourse in educational studies.
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