Problem addressed

• Problem: Young people experiencing mental health issues risk falling between youth work and specialised care,
  with limited accessible spaces to stabilise early; delays can lead to escalation and more intensive interventions.
• Target groups: Young people aged 15-23 experiencing psychosocial vulnerability; their families and support
  networks; referral partners in youth work, education and mental health.

Innovative solution

• a. What we do: Provide an accessible place with small-group support, everyday structure, and creative
  /therapeutic activities that build resilience and reconnection to supportive networks.
• b. Why it is innovative: It combines intensity (structured support) with accessibility (non-stigmatising, safe
  environment), offering a bridge between informal youth support and specialised mental health care.
• c. Who is involved: Homaar team (youth workers, therapists, psychologists) and partner organisations. Key
  people: Marieke Degryse (co-founder, music therapist) and Sarah Fontaine (clinical psychologist, Brussels)
• d. How it works (methodology): Young people are referred or self-present through low-threshold channels;
  intake focuses on immediate needs and stability; small-group programme blends daily-life activities with
  creative media and therapeutic methods; staff coordinate with schools, families and specialised services;
  transition planning supports next steps.

Key results and benefits

• Outputs: We support yearly around 200 young people in the two-week daytime programs + 450 young people
  participating in the holiday programs;
• Outcomes: improved stability, resilience and engagement with education/care; reduced escalation.

• Impact measurement: 

  - At the start of their program at Homaar, 60% of the youngsters were considered for
  hospitalisation.
  - 6 months after their program, only 9% had been admitted to a psychiatric ward or were still on a waiting list.
  - 90% of the youngsters were able to start within a month, and 50% within just one week!
  - 77% of the youngsters reported that their symptoms reduced during the program.
  - 67% returned to school after the program, 20% chose an alternative learning path or daytime activity.

Potential for mainstreaming

Transfer via partnerships with youth work and mental health actors; define staffing and safeguarding standards;
secure appropriate premises and sustainable funding. Conditions: trained staff, clear referral pathways,
collaboration agreements, and a ‘bridge’ mandate accepted by local care ecosystems.