Addressing rising loneliness among 15-24 year olds, Vivalis reactivates its campaign to foster social connections and mutual support.
By Nadia Delvaux
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of young Brussels adults expressing hope and connection.
Amidst growing vulnerability among young people in Brussels to anxiety and depression, Vivalis is relaunching its 'Get into Friend Mode' campaign to strengthen social ties and improve access to support.
The 2023-2024 Health Survey by Sciensano confirms that mental health remains a major public health concern. In Belgium, symptoms of anxiety and depression have increased, while in Brussels, data remains stable. Young people aged 15 to 24 are particularly affected, with over half (55.6%) experiencing moderate to severe loneliness.
Research from Sciensano and a report from the World Health Organization highlight the negative impact of loneliness and the protective role of social connection. Yasmina Bourdoud, Deputy Director-General of Vivalis, emphasizes the importance of not facing difficulties alone and relying on trusted individuals, while ensuring access to professional help.
The campaign « Pour ton mental, mets-toi en mode amis » (Get into Friend Mode for Your Mind), first launched in 2024, was developed with young people from Brussels, including a slam poetry piece. It encourages 15-24 year olds to maintain relationships, engage in activities, and seek support from their peers or dedicated resources.
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"More than one in two young people face loneliness. We cannot normalize this reality. Social connection is a key protective factor: no young person should face their difficulties alone. Prevention and access to help are essential, but we must also act upstream, on the living conditions that influence mental health. This is the meaning of a 'Health in All Policies' approach: making health a priority across all our public policies and better coordinating our responses."
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"Prevention also starts with simple gestures: daring to talk, staying in touch with others, and knowing who to turn to when you're not feeling well. A campaign alone doesn't solve mental health difficulties or loneliness, but it can help open dialogue and guide towards help. The fact that this campaign was designed with young people from Brussels allows us to start from their realities and modes of expression."
This initiative is carried out in consultation with the Brussels Platform for Mental Health and Bru-Stars, the Brussels Network for Mental Health for Children and Adolescents, who contribute to supporting young people and ensuring access to mental health resources.
