Providing mental support is a task that requires a diversity of people skills. It is comprised of pastoral care and therapy, work counselling and education, and divine service life, and retreat activity.

The pastoral care – mental and spiritual support – provided by the Deaconess Institutes’ Communal Services Unit (Yhteisöpalvelut) is primarily meant for the Institute’s clients, their next of kin, students, and staff. Support is offered especially to those people, who are not able to get it from elsewhere.

Pastoral care is directed by Christian values – respect for one’s neighbours and confronting people in distress without laying down any conditions. The human being as a whole is defended and supported in pastoral care. The convictions of individuals are respected and the person’s creed does not impose any limits when contacting people.

Pastoral care is implemented in discussions, groups, prayer, confession, Holy Communion, retreat activities, and in therapeutic discussions. The sphere of mental support also covers services promoting well-being at the workplace.