Higher education students have been quick to start using YTHSDigi, the new digital service launched by the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). The app became one of the most downloaded apps the week it was launched in early May, and during these few weeks since then has already changed the way students use services within student healthcare.
“We wanted to take student healthcare services where students spend time anyway – their mobile devices. These first few weeks have shown that there was a clear need for a new digital platform with all our services provided in one place. With the new service, the number of students contacting us through our Chat services has increased. About half of all students contacting us now do so on the YTHSDigi Chat”, says FSHS Director of Health Services Teija Kulmala.
YTHSDigi allows student to take care of all of their health issues in one place: the Chat and symptom assessment services help refer them to the right type of care within general and mental health or oral health services.
Launch week interest immediately reflected in user numbers
YTHSDigi was launched on 6 May 2026, and as early as the first week of use, the app with FSHS digital services found its way into the pockets of thousands of higher education students.
“Within the first month, the app was downloaded over 50 000 times. It became one of the most downloaded free apps on both the App Store and Google Play”, Kulmala says.
Currently the most-used services on the app include the Chat and the digital treatment paths, which allow students to look after their wellbeing before any problems develop. These paths cover topics such as support for mental wellbeing, vaccinations, concentration problems and self-care for temporomandibular disorders.
“Digital services are not an end in themselves – they’re a means to improved access to services and greater student satisfaction with the options provided. Currently, we’re able to answer all students contacting us the same day. With students using our digital services to take care of the simpler issues, our healthcare professionals can dedicate more of their time to those students that need more support.”
A significant improvement in digital services
For higher education students, being able to use various key healthcare services on one digital platform is a clear practical improvement. Contacting the FSHS is now much easier, as it can be done direct on the app wherever you are, whether that means the noisy university cafeteria or the quiet library.
“I’m glad to see so many students using the new service. The number of downloads has been high, even higher than expected. This shows that there is a clear need for well-functioning digital services within student healthcare”, says Social Policy Adviser Jesse Häyhä from the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL).
Many students lead busy lives, and their varying schedules mean that having access to functional digital services becomes even more important.
“Ideally, YTHSDigi will allow students to take care of practically all of their student healthcare-related matters using one service channel. The most important thing right now is ensuring that the service works reliably even with a high number of users and that it continues to receive improvements based on user experience,” says Senior Advisor in Well-Being Policy Jere Tapio from the National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK).
Continued development to ensure a smooth service provision
The FSHS is actively monitoring YTHSDigi use and will continue to improve the service based on feedback from students. When the new term in higher education institutions begins next autumn, new students will complete the HealthStart questionnaire direct on YTHSDigi.
“Our goal is to see YTHSDigi become the main way students take care of any health issues and that using it feels natural to them”, Teija Kulmala adds.
The YTHSDigi app is available for download for all higher education students. Use of the YTHSDigi services is included in the healthcare fee already paid by higher education students.
Read more about YTHSDigi: Home – YTHSDigi