The university prepares students to become professionals in social care, health care, church community work and interpreting. The university contributes to the development of its fields of study at the regional, national and international levels. Diak is a national higher education institution with campuses across Finland.

www: www.diak.fi

Markku Salo

Mr Markku Salo, PHD works as a part time employee for RMH in Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. The main focus of his work is to theoretically develop different dimensions for the social model of mental health by opening up the multidimensionality of concepts, like recovery, social inclusion, stigma and marginalization.

Markku has previously worked in the Central Association of Mental Health (national organization of service users) as leader of research and development and as the manager of a social psychiatric foundation. He has written a few books on psychiatric reforms, on expertise by experience and edited studies done by users trained in research. His latest book The Mad Mental Health Markets was quite largely disseminated and reviewed by the national media.

Päivi Niiranen-Linkama

Ms. Päivi Niiranen-Linkama works as a RDI-specialist in Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. The main focus in her work is to develop service-user -centered solutions and practices in social and health care services as a member of a multi-professional team. She also works in several EU -projects. Most of her career she has worked in universities of applied sciences in social work programs in different tasks. She also has expertise in professional pedagogy, adult education and issues of wellbeing of children and families but also of research-based development of working life.

Mr Markku Salo, PHD works as a part time employee for RMH in Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. The main focus of his work is to theoretically develop different dimensions for the social model of mental health by opening up the multidimensionality of concepts, like recovery, social inclusion, stigma and marginalization.