Meet Lapinlahti people: Riku Kohtala
“The most important thing is the encounter. It’s about giving people time. Just being there and listening. It’s very authentic. There are no pre-set treatment goals or methods.”
This is how Riku Kohtala describes the Toivon Lähde community’s role. The first step in the Pro Lapinlahti Mental Health Association’s crisis care activities, the Toivon Lähde community living room has now been open for a month. Toivon Lähde offers support to adults facing a crisis in their lives. Riku is one of the community’s trained volunteers.
“I am interested in interpersonal communication. I am interested in how conversation can unlock the mind.”
Riku is an environmental engineer by training. However, in recent years, he has become interested in social work and working with people. He became acquainted with Lapinlahti about a year and a half ago while looking for a suitable work placement or job.
“The atmosphere in Lapinlahti is warm and welcoming. It’s easy to strike up conversations with strangers. I’m also fascinated by how the environment and culture intertwine here.”
Riku has led the ‘Läsnäolohetki ja rumpumatka’ (Moment of Presence and Drum Journey) group five times in Lapinlahti, where participants can pause and awaken their senses to the sound of drums.
“I was encouraged here to play the drums and start a group. I was able to organise the event in my own style. A nice group of people gathered and gave me some great feedback. The drum journey reignited my passion for music, and I have been thinking about developing the event further.”
Riku currently works as a community worker for the City of Helsinki. In his spare time, he participates in Helsinki Mission’s youth buddy programme and provides low-threshold counselling at Mieli ry’s Huolituoli in Lapinlahden Lähde.
“It feels like everything is coming together now in Lapinlahti: Art, work, my own community, volunteering.”
Toivon Lähde is still in its early stages, so it could develop in many different ways. However, Riku sees a clear need for crisis support services. He encourages people who are considering contacting Toivon Lähde:
“Making contact is the hardest step. Sometimes you have to visit many places before you find your own community. But don’t give up. Toivon Lähde may be just the community for you.”
“I hope people find their way to Toivon Lähde. In the future, crisis shelters could become a feature of every neighbourhood. They would collaborate with each other and form a network.”
Riku believes that Lapinlahti is becoming an established part of his life.
“Lapinlahti has become one of the most important parts of my life in Helsinki. It’s a special place. I can see Lapinlahti continuing to operate in a similar way. It works well as both a small group and a large network. Here, you can realise your potential in many ways. Toivon Lähde could become an important part of the future of well-being.”
Text: Juhana Heikkilä
Photo: Matti Koskinen