LooS: co-producing youth mental healthcare

Abstract

The increasing waiting times in youth mental health care pose a significant challenge, driven by a shortage of specialists and external factors that complicate diagnosis and prolong treatment. Shoshin, a multidisciplinary strategic design and innovation agency, has developed a solution known as the Fit Op Weg Poli (FOWP) to address this issue for adult care at GGZ Delfland. This thesis aims to engage youth healthcare providers in the development of a youth FOWP.

To tackle the design challenge, the double diamond method is applied, involving extensive research and collaborative sessions. This process led to the development of LooS, a co-production framework tailored for young individuals aged between twelve and twenty-seven years old. Co-production for LooS leads to improved service delivery and increased efficiency, aiming to transform youth mental health care.

LooS incorporates several crucial elements to support youth mental health. An easily accessible well-being gym is provided, empowering young individuals to enhance their resilience and overall well-being. A walk-in centre offers a safe and non-judgmental space for peer interaction and support. The intake process involves a comprehensive assessment, and each young person is assigned a dedicated buddy who provides support throughout their recovery journey. Welcome packages are provided to manage expectations and offer essential resources, including e-health tools and information about the recovery process.

Recovery is facilitated through group sessions with a recovery coach, accompanied by the use of e-health tools for progress monitoring and exercises for continued growth. LooS aims to transition 20-30% of clients to a stage where therapy is no longer required, while those who still need therapy will receive specialised group therapy, after recovery.

In the case of a crisis, the program can be scaled up swiftly to provide immediate support. After a crisis, diagnosis-specific therapy will always be provided, and the recovery coach ensures continued aftercare. The aftercare is structured in layers, offering self-testing and a safety net for a smooth transition. Once individuals no longer require aftercare, they bid farewell to their buddy and continue working on their mental resilience in the well-being gym.
LooS is designed to be adaptable for implementation in multiple centres/locations across The Netherlands, allowing for widespread access to youth mental health care.

To support open discussions with healthcare providers, a visual aid called the “Praatplaat” and a brochure have been created. These tools highlight the impact of LooS on the care pathway and waiting times to enable engagement among healthcare providers to co-produce their own LooS centres. A comprehensive blueprint has been developed, providing a clear and structured guide for the co-development process of Shosin with healthcare providers.

In conclusion, LooS is a new approach to youth mental health care, focusing on proactive work on mental resilience, accessible support services, and collaborative engagement. By implementing LooS, the aim is to transform the youth mental health care system, reduce waiting times, and provide holistic care for youth. LooS offers a path towards improved outcomes and well-being, ultimately creating a brighter future for the youth of The Netherlands.