Her Majesty Queen Máxima, honorary chair of MIND Us, and State Secretary for Youth, Prevention, and Sport Judith Tielen visited Haarlem College on Monday, 3 November, as part of the Leading LocalsMIND Us network. An organisation committed to improving the mental health of young people. Haarlem is one of eleven leading municipalities actively working to strengthen the mental health of young people.
Her Majesty Queen Máxima visiting
Young people's mental health
During the visit, the Queen and the Secretary of State attended, among other things, the resilience session. Keep in touch from Youz Nextdoor. During this lesson, young people, guided by professionals from YOUZ and role models from the community, discussed themes such as self-confidence, social pressure, and mental resilience. This resulted in a wonderful mix of connection with each other and substance.
Jannet Jonk, director of You're Noord-Holland, emphasised the importance of collaboration between different domains: “We see daily how powerful it is when young people support each other. Programs like Stay Connected not only help them become more resilient, but also develop a network of trust. This happens where young people live, learn and meet. This is where young people are and therefore where we should be too.’
“I am incredibly proud that Her Majesty has honoured us with a visit, but perhaps even prouder of our pupils who gave her a truly warm Haarlem College welcome.“
Following this, Queen Máxima and State Secretary Tielen spoke with representatives from the municipality, education, and healthcare about local collaboration within Haarlem. “In Haarlem, we believe that young people themselves hold the key to change,” said councillor Bas van Leeuwen. By working with young people to find solutions, we are building a city where talking about mental health is the norm.
Viola Scheerder, director of Haarlem College: ‘I am incredibly proud that Her Majesty and State Secretary Tielen have honoured us with a visit, but perhaps even prouder of our pupils, who gave her a truly warm Haarlem College welcome. I hope that together with Youz and MIND Us, we can expand our collaboration in the future, because mental health is something that needs to be structurally supported from the very moment pupils enter here in the first year of secondary school.’
Power of speech
Next the Praatpower-brainstorm centres, young people and their partners shared ideas to make mental health more discussable and to improve it. They reflected on the challenges they experience regarding mental well-being and brainstormed about what helps young people to stay mentally healthy and what they need from their environment to do so. During the visit, the first results of the Praatpower-analyse presented by researchers from YoungXperts and Erasmus SYNC Lab. These insights help municipalities and organisations further strengthen their approach and learn from each other.
Local Leaders Mind Us
With the Leading LocalsThe network encourages MIND Us municipalities to work with young people, schools, and care partners on a healthy mental foundation. Haarlem serves as an inspiring example for other cities in this regard. We are proud that we, as Haarlem College, are contributing to this for the city of Haarlem.
