Many young people have been experiencing mental problems since the start of the corona crisis. In order to draw attention to this ‘in a positive way’, a few hundred teenagers and people in their twenties will be cycling in nine cities tonight, says Tessa Di Corrado, the initiator of the action. She calls it a ‘bicycle rave’.
“A bicycle rave is actually a party on a bicycle, but with a serious message in our case”, explains the initiator of Fiets voor je Leven in the NOS Radio 1 News. “In every city, a cargo bike has been transformed into a kind of DJ table, so that promises to be quite a happening.”
The ‘bicycle raves’ will take place at 7 p.m. in Eindhoven, Utrecht, Maassluis, Leeuwarden, Hilversum, Haarlem, Katwijk, Rotterdam and Zaandam. Previously, cyclists had already cycled in Amsterdam, Groningen and Utrecht. The day after tomorrow it will be Alkmaar’s turn.
Psychological problems
Similar initiatives have already taken place in Berlin and Liverpool. “I got my inspiration from there. I saw some videos coming from there. Then I immediately thought that it would be entirely appropriate for our country to also demonstrate by bicycle”, says Di Corrado.
Behind the cheerful appearance of the parades lies a serious message. Di Carrado believes it is important that the psychological problems among young people are brought to the attention in a positive way. “It’s not about missing parties or not being able to go to the pub, but about people who develop eating disorders, anxiety disorders and depression.”
Get jammed
Care for young people with serious mental health problems such as eating disorders, depression and suicidality has come to a standstill, last month showed research by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. “Corona has further enlarged, deepened and sharpened the problems that already existed for youth mental health care,” said Chief Inspector Korrie Louwes.
Municipalities get for this year 613 million euros extra to tackle the problems in youth care. With the money, the waiting times in youth mental health care can be tackled and the crisis capacity can be expanded, says State Secretary Blokhuis.
Yet many child and adolescent psychiatrists consider too stop treating children, because of increased regulatory pressure and cumbersome bureaucracy since youth care was moved from the central government to the municipalities.
–
