This PhD thesis by Sophie Leijdesdorff, completed in 2021 at Maastricht University, shows why many young people with mental struggles don’t get the right help. It’s based on data from young people who visited @ease.
Key data
- Promotion: April 9, 2021
- Author: Sophie M.J. Leijdesdorff
- Institution: Maastricht University
- Supervisors: Thérèse van Amelsvoort, Arne Popma, Rianne M.C. Klaassen
- Data: Young people from @ease
Summary
Background: Most mental health problems develop before the age of 25 and pose a risk to young people’s development. However, this group, in particular, experiences significant barriers to receiving appropriate help, leading to undertreatment.
Goal: To investigate why young people do not receive adequate help and what role low-threshold initiatives such as @ease can play in this.
Method
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of data from @ease visitors (12–25 years)
- Research into perceived barriers, quality of life, social impact and access to care
- Analysis of innovations in youth care, within and outside mental health care
Results
- Mental health issues among young people who visited @ease are severe and have a significant impact on quality of life
- Yet, 75% of them did not receive any form of assistance prior to their visit
- Young people experience barriers such as:
- uncertainty about the offer of assistance
- financial concerns
- age limits within mental health care (e.g. around 18 years)
- fear of stigma or rejection
Conclusion
This dissertation demonstrates the necessity and feasibility of accessible, youth-friendly support services like @ease. The study advocates for:
- Drop-in facilities outside the GGZ
- Diagnosis-transcending help
- Information provision by health insurers in youth language
- Government investments in awareness and accessibility
Want to know more? Read the summary in plain language.
Want to know everything? Read or download the full dissertation below.