Key Milestones in the Foundation's History

Child Mental Health Work Strengthens in Central Finland

The Central Finland district of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) was founded in 1951, with Professor Niilo Mäki as chairman. The following year, at its initiative, the Central Finland Child Guidance Clinic was founded. The clinic was intended to serve as a resource for parents, teachers, and social welfare authorities dealing with issues related to the development and upbringing of children and young people. Aito Ahto, a doctor of medicine, was appointed as the clinic's physician.

PHOTO 1: Professor Niilo Mäki

Once the Child Guidance Clinic began operating, it became evident that its outpatient-type services required the support of an inpatient treatment unit. Facilities for the institution were found in Ukonniemi, in the rural municipality of Jyväskylä. The Central Finland district of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare decided to establish a residential assessment and treatment center for children with behavioural disorders, appointing Aito Ahto as the physician in charge. To support the running of the facility, the Ukonniemi Child Psychiatric Institution Support Association was formed on 17 December 1954. V. A. Niininen, who was the chair of the Child Guidance Clinic's governing board and School Inspector, was its chairman.

The Haukkala Child Psychiatric Institution Support Association

The Ukonniemi Child Psychiatric Institution Support Association began raising funds to secure more suitable facilities. In 1962, operations moved to Haukkala in Jyväskylä, after which the institution became known as the Haukkala Children's Neuropsychiatric Institution. The association's name was changed accordingly in 1963, and in 1971 it was renamed the Association Supporting the Haukkala Children's Psychiatric Institution. Kalervo Airaksinen, a Medical Counsellor, chaired the association from 1967 to 1982.

The association's field of activity expanded from the psychosocial rehabilitation of children to include special education. In 1972, the association began operating Haukkala School.

PHOTO 2: Inauguration Ceremony, 7 September 1973 "Central Finland a Pioneer in Child Psychiatry"

The Haukkala Children's Psychiatric Institution was transferred to municipal ownership, and from the beginning of 1984 its buildings and land were transferred to the Municipal Federation of the Central Finland Hospital District.

PHOTO 3: 22 December 1983 "Director Eila Heiskanen and Chief Physician Pauli Poutanen of the Haukkala Psychiatric Institution present a one-time donation of nearly two million Finnish marks to Martti Takala, Rector of the University of Jyväskylä, for research and education in family therapy."

From the capital received through the transfer, the association donated funds to the University of Jyväskylä to establish a professorship and two assistant positions in family therapy. The association was chaired by Chief Physician Pauli Poutanen from 1982 to 1989.
The association retained ownership of the school building and its movable assets. Until 2012, the City of Jyväskylä leased the premises for use as a hospital school serving children receiving outpatient or inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric care. The school also functioned as a competence centre within the city's special educational needs services.
In spring 2012, the Central Finland Hospital District constructed new facilities for the school on the hospital campus and all educational activities were transferred there. The association donated the school building to the Hospital District, which arranged for its subsequent demolition.
Professor Isto Ruoppila chaired the association from 1989 to 2012.

PHOTO 4: Professor Isto Ruoppila

From Association to the Haukkala Foundation

The following individuals were appointed to the Foundation's Board of Directors by the association: child psychiatrist Reija Alen; Marja Heikkilä, Director of the Centre of Expertise in Social Welfare; Professor Kimmo Jokinen; Professor Jari-Erik Nurmi; Professor Lea Pulkkinen; Anna Rönkä, Associate Professor and Principal Lecturer; and Pekka Utriainen, Deputy Mayor. Lea Pulkkinen was designated as the person responsible for implementing the Foundation's establishment and convening the Board. Lea Pulkkinen became the Foundation's first Chair, while Reija Alen was appointed Vice Chair. Academy Research Fellow Minna Torppa was invited to serve as secretary and Mirja Eerola as treasurer.

PHOTO 5: Professor Lea Pulkkinen (Photo: Markku Verkasalo)

According to its statutes, the purpose of the Foundation is to promote the mental health of children and young people, building on its roots in Central Finland, by supporting research, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation related to psychiatric and psychosocial disorders, as well as social exclusion. The Foundation also supports education, development activities and publishing in cooperation with other national and international actors in the field.