Mental problems among young people in Groningen are very dear to Queen Máxima. ‘Very nice, this place where you can be yourself’

Of course it is exciting when Queen Máxima suddenly steps out of a limousine in the middle of the schoolyard. A group of first graders from the Eemsdelta College in Appingedam holds the phone ready for a snapshot of the queen. “I want a selfie,” says a boy to his friend.

They don’t get that chance. The Queen is on a working visit and follows a strict programme. In Appingedam she talks to young people about their mental problems. Later that day she will visit the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen.

Recognize gloom

Young people are increasingly experiencing psychological complaints. Worse in Groningen than in the rest of the country, due to the large number of children growing up in poverty or who have to deal with earthquake problems.

Máxima takes a seat in a classroom and is updated on the Mental Healthy Groningen program, which should ensure that in ten years’ time considerably fewer young people will need mental care. A little further on, she is looking at a training course for teachers, who learn how to recognize gloom in students and how to talk to them about it.

‘I wanted a distraction, now I have less sadness’

Then she enters a larger room, where about twenty young people from Jimmy’s are present. They make a magazine for the queen, a creative brood with drawings and texts about their gloomy feelings. “I think it’s very nice that this is a place where you can just be yourself,” says the queen.

It is no coincidence that her working visit is in Appingedam. According to pre-university education student Chalysse Rendering (17) from Siddeburen, almost every young person suffers from study stress and stress from the earthquake misery. Last year she was close to a burnout. “I have to perform, otherwise I won’t get where I want to be.”

She ended up at Jimmy’s a year and a half ago. “I wanted a distraction and to do something, to be busy. Now I suffer less from sadness and less difficulty with social situations.”

‘I want to help others soon’

Chalysse is grateful for a place where she can be creative. She likes to draw. Her striking outfit is reminiscent of a budding art student: white blouse, black jacket and tie, with loose jeans and lots of black belts underneath. “A bit street, a bit formal.”

But she has something else in mind: ,,First psychology and then two more HBO studies.” Her dream job rolls off the tongue. Hold on tight: orthomolecular epigenetic food therapist and lifestyle coach. “I have been helped with nutrition myself and I want to help others later.”

“You’ll get there eventually, with a little help”

Director Frederieke Vriends of the MIND Us foundation, which is committed to young people with mental problems, is pleased to see how the working visit is progressing. ,,We like that with such a working visit we can go in-depth to learn and understand what is going on in Groningen. But also to provide a platform for these initiatives and to let young people talk about their experiences. Other young people read or see that and then think: hey, this could work for me too.”

In addition to distraction, Jimmy’s also offered Chalysse a wise lesson: not everything has to be perfect and there is more than school. She is therefore hopeful about the future. ,,During an assignment I was asked what my autobiography would be called. My answer was: ‘I’ll be fine’. You’ll get there eventually, with a little help from others.”

Chalysse heard about Queen Máxima’s arrival at the last minute. “I think it’s great that with her arrival there is more attention for Groningen young people with mental problems. There are such long waiting lists at the GGZ. I hope that with that attention, what young people need can be better facilitated.”