During my Masters’ degree in Cognitive Neuroscience, I did an internship on a research project investigating the stress system in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I witnessed first-hand the profound impact that traumatic experiences can have on a person’s life. At the same time, I also became increasingly aware of the remarkable resilience people can show, even after difficult experiences. This internship sparked my interest in mental health and the resilience of the brain. For my Masters’ thesis, I examined Early Life Adversities and their long-term impact on mental health, which further strengthened my interest in the importance of early intervention.
My name is Zjulie Rutten, and I am about to start a PhD within the YOUTHreach consortium, where I will be involved in the SELFIE project. I also work as a research assistant on the Youth-GEMs project. Within the Youth-GEMs consortium, I focus on the early identification of mental vulnerability in young people. We monitor mental health complaints over a period of two years, identifying the factors that influence the development of mental illness over time and exploring potential ways to support those affected. In this work, I find that my interest increasingly turns to the follow-up question. How can we support young people before their symptoms worsen?
Initially, I wanted to study this subject from a neuroscientific perspective. However, over time I realised that I also want to move closer to the practical side of mental health care. I want to understand not only why mental health problems develop, but also how we can support people who are struggling. I am convinced that young people benefit most from early intervention at a stage in life when the brain is still relatively resilient. I strongly believe in the plasticity of the human brain and the value of preventive, early support.
The combination of research and practice forms the core of my motivation to work on the SELFIE project. This project’s clinical and practice-oriented nature aligns well with my personal motivations: helping young people while further developing myself at the intersection of research and clinical work.
I believe SELFIE represents a new direction in therapy, one which focuses on the importance of self-esteem and self-acceptance in mental health. By combining therapeutic sessions with support via an app, SELFIE offers a hybrid form of counselling that is well suited to the current times. SELFIE is a training programme combining regular sessions with a mental health professional and a smartphone app offering short, practical exercises. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the programme helps young people to build self-confidence, reduce stress, and develop healthier daily habits. The app is designed to fit easily into everyday life, providing more accessible and less overwhelming support. I am excited to start working with the YOUTHreach consortium on the implementation of this promising initiative!
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