No, we’re not. There’s a lot of good, and definitely very good in comparison to a lot of other, or even most other countries, but I daresay there are certain problems of our own.
While the systems are all great on paper, reality doesn’t always conform.
I was abused by the police in a manner that I think actually would reach the bar of international crime, as they even cut off my water at one point. I was denied my prescription medication and went psychotic for days on end in a jail cell, while “under supervision for my safety”. I was literally drawing on the walls with my own blood. I didn’t eat. They didn’t care. Now whatever the motivation, the conditions I was kept in and the treatment I got would, I argue, constitute an international crime.
I’ve yet to find a single Finn who doesn’t immediately challenge me when I say that, and then I show proof, they deny it, and I have not gotten a single person to explain to me how on Earth it would be possible for me to self-harm so badly while “under supervision” and why I was not given my medications and fucking urgent medical assistance? I still have scars on my arms and fingers and that was several years ago. Even just according to the Finnish laws, permanent physical harm would constitute a grievous assault, when done on another person. And since I wouldn’t have done that if I weren’t being treated that way (in a cell without a single word to anyone, no knowledge of my rights, which I have a right to hold a physical copy all the time during detainment, lights on all the time, no mattress, no bed, no blanket). The guard even taunted me several times over the radio.
Finns will deny this, just like all the Finnish authorities did. And thus if I can manage to prove that it was actually internationally criminal, then anyone denying it would be a criminal under this law, which sounds kinda nice.
Anyway, the point is that we’re not a utopian democracy, we’re a somewhat socially secure bureaucracy. Like yeah we don’t really have anyone living on the streets, people usually get enough to eat, so “can’t complain”, but that’s just it. Having some things be well doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to improve the things which aren’t.
Personally, Finland is a great country, but all countries are flawed in one way or another. There’s no utopia anywhere.
Also the thing about Finns being introverts is not even an exaggeration. It’d be a massive understatement to say we’re emotionally reserved and generally avoidant.
I’m so sorry for everything you’ve gone through, this sounds horrendous. But thank you for enlightening me, I know mostly nothing about Finland personally. I hope you’re doing better now though, and as someone who’s been through abuse as well, it’s tough, but in the end, we can get through this. I’m not really good at talks like this, sorry if it’s bad, but just know that I’m rooting for you. It will get better. 🙂
1000% more supportive than any Finn I’ve ever met, including my family.
So yeah, compared to them you’re a fucking master, mate.
That is very meaningful to me, thank you a lot. People ignoring it is what really gets me, not the personal experience. (It’s not the first time I’ve been in a psychosis due to insomnia/other factors, but when I’ve my meds at home, I don’t end up eating myself.)
I am doing better, yes. Maybe not exactly well yet, but
…
Is Finland just as based as I think it is? They even got the homeless problem fixed. If only…
No, we’re not. There’s a lot of good, and definitely very good in comparison to a lot of other, or even most other countries, but I daresay there are certain problems of our own.
While the systems are all great on paper, reality doesn’t always conform.
I was abused by the police in a manner that I think actually would reach the bar of international crime, as they even cut off my water at one point. I was denied my prescription medication and went psychotic for days on end in a jail cell, while “under supervision for my safety”. I was literally drawing on the walls with my own blood. I didn’t eat. They didn’t care. Now whatever the motivation, the conditions I was kept in and the treatment I got would, I argue, constitute an international crime.
I’ve yet to find a single Finn who doesn’t immediately challenge me when I say that, and then I show proof, they deny it, and I have not gotten a single person to explain to me how on Earth it would be possible for me to self-harm so badly while “under supervision” and why I was not given my medications and fucking urgent medical assistance? I still have scars on my arms and fingers and that was several years ago. Even just according to the Finnish laws, permanent physical harm would constitute a grievous assault, when done on another person. And since I wouldn’t have done that if I weren’t being treated that way (in a cell without a single word to anyone, no knowledge of my rights, which I have a right to hold a physical copy all the time during detainment, lights on all the time, no mattress, no bed, no blanket). The guard even taunted me several times over the radio.
Finns will deny this, just like all the Finnish authorities did. And thus if I can manage to prove that it was actually internationally criminal, then anyone denying it would be a criminal under this law, which sounds kinda nice.
Anyway, the point is that we’re not a utopian democracy, we’re a somewhat socially secure bureaucracy. Like yeah we don’t really have anyone living on the streets, people usually get enough to eat, so “can’t complain”, but that’s just it. Having some things be well doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to improve the things which aren’t.
Personally, Finland is a great country, but all countries are flawed in one way or another. There’s no utopia anywhere.
Also the thing about Finns being introverts is not even an exaggeration. It’d be a massive understatement to say we’re emotionally reserved and generally avoidant.
I’m so sorry for everything you’ve gone through, this sounds horrendous. But thank you for enlightening me, I know mostly nothing about Finland personally. I hope you’re doing better now though, and as someone who’s been through abuse as well, it’s tough, but in the end, we can get through this. I’m not really good at talks like this, sorry if it’s bad, but just know that I’m rooting for you. It will get better. 🙂
1000% more supportive than any Finn I’ve ever met, including my family.
So yeah, compared to them you’re a fucking master, mate.
That is very meaningful to me, thank you a lot. People ignoring it is what really gets me, not the personal experience. (It’s not the first time I’ve been in a psychosis due to insomnia/other factors, but when I’ve my meds at home, I don’t end up eating myself.)
I am doing better, yes. Maybe not exactly well yet, but …
I’m sure they have problems like everywhere else, but I would emigrate there in a heartbeat if I could afford it and if they’d let me.
Yeah, I figured. And same, but I’m stuck in the worst part of the US right now. The Bible Belt.
Oof, get outta there if you can
I would, too poor though.