Proactive technology-supported prevention and mental health in adolescence

One in four young people (aged 12-25) in the Netherlands is at risk of developing long-term mental health problems. At the same time, demand for specialized youth mental healthcare continues to rise, while waiting lists and staff shortages prevent many adolescents from receiving timely support.

Current systems often focus on treatment once problems have already become severe. PROTECt ME aims to shift this approach towards earlier identification, prevention and accessible support. By combining expertise from psychiatry, psychology, pedagogy, artificial intelligence, design, ethics and health economics, the programme develops technology-supported and human-centered approaches that help young people earlier and reduce pressure on the healthcare system. The programme focuses not only on technological innovation, but also on implementation, societal relevance and the broader transition towards more preventive and resilient mental healthcare.

What the programme works on

PROTECt ME develops tools and interventions that support young people, families and professionals before mental health problems escalate. The programme combines scientific research with practical implementation in healthcare, schools and community settings.

A central focus is early identification and prevention. Researchers develop AI- and data-driven approaches that help distinguish between temporary emotional difficulties and more persistent mental health problems. This includes real-time monitoring approaches and decision-support tools that support earlier and more appropriate care. The programme also focuses on improving access to the right support at the right time. Human-centered AI systems and digital tools are developed to help professionals make better-informed referral and treatment decisions and reduce delays in youth mental healthcare. In parallel, the programme develops personalized eHealth interventions aimed at strengthening resilience and preventing mental health problems at an earlier stage. Examples include digital tools, serious gaming approaches and online interventions tailored to the daily lives of young people.

Co-creation is an important part of the programme. Young people, parents, caregivers and societal partners are actively involved in the design, evaluation and implementation of technologies and interventions to help ensure that solutions are practical, accessible and socially relevant. Through collaboration between Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, PROTECt ME connects clinical expertise, behavioral sciences, artificial intelligence, design, ethics and implementation research to contribute to a more proactive and sustainable mental healthcare system.

Featured story

Helping young people with mental health problems earlier

How can mental health problems in young people be recognized and addressed earlier, before they escalate into severe or long-term issues? In this story, PROTECt ME lead Loes Keijsers explains why prevention, early identification and technology-supported care are becoming increasingly important in youth mental healthcare and how the programme combines AI, behavioral sciences, psychiatry and co-creation with young people to develop scalable and accessible support tools. Read the interview/story.

Policy & societal impact

PROTECt ME contributes to the transition from reactive youth mental healthcare towards earlier identification, prevention and more accessible support for young people. The programme works together with municipalities, healthcare professionals, schools and youth organisations to explore how digital tools and data-driven approaches can support timely and appropriate care.

Together with the Municipality of Rotterdam and regional stakeholders, researchers are working on the implementation and evaluation of the Decision Tool Youth to support referral and triage decisions in youth mental healthcare. The programme also contributes to broader discussions on prevention, mental health and the responsible use of digital technologies for young people. Beyond healthcare settings, PROTECt ME collaborates with community partners and youth networks to strengthen resilience and mental well-being in daily life. These collaborations help connect scientific research with practical implementation and societal dialogue.

Partners & collaborations

PROTECt ME brings together researchers from Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam across fields including child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, pedagogy, AI, data science, ethics, design and health economics. The programme combines technological innovation with clinical expertise and societal perspectives.

The Flagship collaborates with healthcare providers, municipalities, schools, youth organisations and community partners to support real-world implementation and co-creation. Partnerships with organisations such as MIND Us, Kindertelefoon, Quardin and the Municipality of Rotterdam help connect research, prevention and everyday practice. The programme also works with societal and healthcare stakeholders on scaling, implementation and evaluation of digital mental health tools and prevention approaches.

Education & talent development

PROTECt ME actively involves bachelor, master and PhD students in interdisciplinary research, co-creation and implementation projects at the intersection of mental health, technology and society. Students work together with researchers, healthcare professionals, municipalities and youth organisations on real-world challenges.

The programme also contributes to interdisciplinary education and training in areas such as digital mental health, AI, ethics, prevention and youth participation. By connecting technology, healthcare and social sciences, PROTECt ME helps prepare a new generation of professionals and researchers for future mental healthcare challenges.

Looking ahead

In the coming years, PROTECt ME will focus on implementation, scaling and long-term integration of its most promising innovations into practice. A major next step is the national multi-site evaluation and further implementation of the Grow It! app, including integration into healthcare platforms such as DIGIzorg and broader collaborations with healthcare providers, municipalities and societal partners.

The programme will also continue the implementation trajectory of the Decision Tool Youth together with the Municipality of Rotterdam and youth mental healthcare partners, with a focus on improving referral pathways and supporting “the right care in the right place.”

At the same time, PROTECt ME is expanding collaborations with schools, youth organisations, NGOs, community initiatives and national partners to strengthen prevention and resilience beyond the healthcare system alone. Future work will also focus on implementation research, cost-effectiveness, ethical AI, and sustainable adoption of digital mental health tools in practice.