PhD defence L.S. ( Larissa) van Bodegom

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Young people with depressive symptoms who receive care within youth mental health services (CAMHS) will need to transition to adult mental health services (AMHS) if ongoing treatment is required. Because depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts can fluctuate significantly, it is not always easy to determine who actually needs such a transition. This dissertation examined how the transition from youth to adult mental health care takes place, which factors influence the advice young people receive, and how young people and their parents experience it.
The research shows that clinicians primarily rely on their own assessment of the severity of symptoms. What young people report themselves, or what parents observe, seems to play a smaller role. As a result, it can happen that young people with a clear need for care do not receive recommendations for continued treatment. Suicidal thoughts, in particular, often go unnoticed by both parents and clinicians, increasing the risk of falling through the cracks.
At the same time, the study shows that not all young people need continued care. For many, symptoms improve to the point that ongoing treatment is no longer necessary. Yet there is also a group whose severe symptoms persist or even worsen, and these young people are often difficult to identify.
Young people’s satisfaction with the transition varies. Clear information and proper preparation are important, yet many still feel insufficiently heard. Having a clinician who listens and takes them seriously seems most important.
The study highlights that collaboration, hearing young people’s perspectives, and clear communication are essential.