The changes in the world and the development of technology create needs and opportunities for organizing services. The development of mental health, substance abuse, and addiction services, along with the establishment of wellbeing regions, challenges the organization of services, such as service needs, cost containment, or access to services. The development of services should focus on customer orientation and experience, quality, economy and efficiency, inclusion and equality, and the prevention of stigma and exclusion. The digitalization and diversification of customer and patient encounters require new competence: How to meet people in the digital environment? How do I access the services? How is the client’s functional capacity or recovery orientation promoted in digital encounters? How do remote and local services alternate or how are they phased? This competence is needed both by those working in their profession in different environments and by those studying the field, both those working in mental health, substance abuse and addiction work, as well as those working in voluntary and development work as part of their other duties in the health and wellbeing, health and social services sector or facing fields. The project’s goal is to develop the digital encounter competence of the target groups in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work. The aim is also to develop simulations that enhance digital encounter skills for education and continuing education in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work. Additionally, the goal is to produce information and tools to strengthen digital customer orientation and target group-oriented digital encounters in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work. The project utilizes recovery orientation as a framework for development. The novelty value consists of modern digital encounter competence in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work. Competence, tools, and simulations develop and renew the digital encounter skills of the target groups in a multidisciplinary and multi-professional manner. This makes it possible to meet hard-to-reach customers and use services. The main implementer of the project is LAB University of Applied Sciences, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare as a co-implementer and Irti Huumeista ry as a partner. Added value is created by the development of cooperation forms when education, research and development, and the third sector work together to advance the goals. As a result of the project, the following will be produced: 1) Modern digital encounter expertise for mental health, substance abuse and addiction work and education, 2) Simulations and simulation teaching that produce modern competence, 3) Technical skills that enable digital encounters, 4) More competent personnel for the health and wellbeing sector, social and healthcare services, other encountering sectors, operators in the 3rd sector and the development and education sector, 5) Through development, better services and care related to health and well-being as well as work and functional capacity, 6) New knowledge, tools, and an operational model for education and continuing education, 7) Facilitating the availability and timeliness of services and treatment, as well as improving the experience and quality of encounters, in a socially and ethically sustainable manner. Through the development of competence, the project promotes non-discrimination and accessibility of services for vulnerable groups and develops solutions for services that enhance work ability and functional capacity. The project influences groups whose inclusion is most at risk and promotes equality and accessibility. The development areas are closely connected to the strategic goals of the South Karelia region and the organizations, as well as the UN’s sustainable development themes: 1. Health and wellbeing, 2. Quality education, and 3. Cooperation and partnership.
