Listening to each other, being connected, reduced performance pressure and attention to mental health in education: according to young people, these are essential conditions for maintaining good mental health.

On February 4, the YoungXperts team formally presented the PRAATPOWER report to the State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport Judith Tielen. The report is based on 180 interactive brainstorm sessions with more than 3000 young people, facilitated and supervised by MIND Us. These sessions addressed a wide range of topics related to mental health, from performance pressure and stigma to everyday challenges such as social media use and financial stress.

The YoungXperts team systemically analyzed and translated the extensive input from young people into concrete take actions. This resulted in a set of concrete policy recommendations, translating young people’s lived experiences into actionable and evidence-informed perspectives for policy.

PRAATPOWER was initiated by MIND Us, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, and developed in close collaboration with the youth participation platform YoungXperts, with contributions from many partners and stakeholders.

The project team is proud of this collaboration and grateful to all involved, especially to the young people who shared their experiences, ideas and solutions. Their voices are at the heart of the PRAATPOWER report.

Read the report here or watch the video.