Museum van de Geest in Amsterdam Launches 'Word Up' Program for Youth Mental Health
Museum van de Geest | Dolhuys, a prominent cultural institution in Amsterdam focusing on mental health and the human mind, has announced the launch of its innovative 'Word Up' art education program. Developed in collaboration with GGD Kennemerland, this initiative aims to empower young people to openly discuss challenging emotions and thoughts through creative expression.
Empowering Youth Through Creative Mental Health Initiatives
The 'Word Up' program is designed for students in secondary and vocational education. It addresses the growing pressure on youth mental health, providing tools to articulate feelings and foster self-understanding. The initiative recognizes that many young people find it difficult to talk about negative thoughts, a sentiment echoed by data from national youth monitors indicating a rise in distress calls among young individuals.
Participants in 'Word Up' engage with various creative professionals. Students can learn to 'write their own script' with spoken word artist Elten Kiene, 'get their thoughts on paper' with illustrator Evangeline Agape, or analyze their personal 'user manual' alongside writer and illustrator Barbara Tammes. A unique audiotour, narrated by rapper Willem de Bruin, guides students through the museum, sharing his experiences and prompting self-reflection to help them define their own inner 'user manual.' Following this inspiration, students will create their own 'Word Up' exhibitions both at their schools and within the museum's online exhibition space.
The Museum's Role in Community Wellbeing
Jelle Buijtendijk, regional project leader for suicide prevention at GGD Kennemerland and an initiator of the project, emphasized the critical need for increased attention to youth mental health. He highlighted a significant increase in emergency service reports involving young people struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and uncertainty about the future. The 'Word Up' program is part of GGD Kennemerland's Zero Suicide project, developed in partnership with GGZ inGeest and 113.
The pilot program for 'Word Up' began at Nova College in Haarlem in 2022, involving students from the Social Work program. Annemieke van Ede, director of Nova Campus Haarlem, noted that the program aligns with the college's commitment to holistic student development. Jessica Belles, deputy director of Museum van de Geest, views 'Word Up' as tapping into the power of finding words that give meaning, which is often a crucial step toward seeking help. The museum and GGD Kennemerland aspire to make mental health a consistently discussed topic in regional secondary and vocational education by 2030.
The World Health Organization officially recognized in 2019 that actively engaging with art can promote health. By showcasing the strength and vulnerability of the human mind, Museum van de Geest uses cultural programs to make mental health discussable and contribute to the prevention of mental health challenges. The official kick-off for 'Word Up', including the launch of its online platform, took place on February 16, 2022.
To discover more about cultural spots focusing on mental health or explore other unique museums and experiences, visit Musemap (musemap.art) or browse museums in various cities. You can also explore the map to find cultural experiences near you.
