NRC published an in‑depth article featuring our colleagues Kayla Green (researcher and practor of equal opportunities) and Julianna Lopez (research assistant), who discuss their work within Dutch vocational education (mbo). Throughout this academic year, NRC is following a class at ROC Albeda in Rotterdam to gain deeper insight into the daily realities of mbo students and what schools can do to strengthen student wellbeing.

In the article, Kayla and Julianna share insights from both research and practice, highlighting the importance of giving students the space to grow in an increasingly complex society.

On 1 June 2026, Kayla will deliver her practoral lecture, titled ‘Ruimte om te groeien in een complexe en veranderende samenleving‘.

 

Fotografie: Bart Maat

This week, Eveline Crone and Kayla Green appeared in several national media outlets to discuss the mental health of youth and the developing adolescent brain. During the Gala van de Gezondheid on 11 March 2026, they explored both the roots of rising mental health challenges among youth and what we, as a society, can do to strengthen the resilience of young people.

That same week, Eveline joined the television program Tijd voor Max to continue the conversation. The episode is available to watch via NPO Start.

She also appeared on Spraakmakers on Radio 1, which can be listened back via NPO Radio 1.

Through these media appearances, Eveline and Kayla contribute to a broader public dialogue on youth wellbeing, which is a topic that lies at the heart of our research.

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.

Although the joint MRI scanner of Erasmus University Rotterdam and Erasmus MC has been in use for almost a year, the facility was officially opened last week. An important moment to showcase what interdisciplinary collaboration is already delivering.

Thanks to the collaboration between ESSB, RSM, and Erasmus MC, innovative research is being conducted on the relationship between brain and behavior – ranging from brain development in young people to decision-making and responses to stress.

Within ESSB, several MRI projects are currently underway, and multiple research teams are preparing new studies.

Read the full news item on the ESSB website here.

Can adolescents be gamechangers for 21st century societal challenges? From October 8 to 10, a diverse group of scientists, practitioners, creatives, and youth representatives gathered for the Healthy Start Transformative Research Meeting (www.rethinkingdevelopment.nl) at Het Meisjeshuis in Delft to think about this question.

This meeting was filled with inspiring talks and commentaries, creative and interactive intermezzos, and perhaps most importantly space for genuine exchange and connection. Check out the meeting recap written by Judith van de Wetering. This Healthy Start Transformative Research Meeting clearly demonstrated the power of bringing together passionate people from different countries, disciplines, and professions who share a common goal: shaping a healthier start for the next generation. And this is only the beginning—we are excited to keep building on the ideas and collaborations that emerged during these inspiring days.

During the meeting, we recorded a podcast with some of our guests and adolescents to spread the message. The podcast is available on Spotify!

This meeting was organized by Lysanne te Brinke, Eveline Crone, Ron Dahl, Suzanne van de Groep and Judith van de Wetering and made possible by the Healthy Start-Convergence program and the Sector Plan Youth Resilience from Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Yara Toenders has been awarded a KNAW Early Career Award by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, as one of just twelve researchers to receive this prestigious honor. The award recognizes her innovative combination of transdisciplinary methods with fundamental brain research. By not only studying young people’s mental wellbeing, but also working with young people themselves, Yara bridges scientific insights with the lived experiences of youth.