Inaugural Lecture Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff: “More Tailored Approach Needed in Youth Care”

In youth care, there is an excessive emphasis on disorders, and the available services tend to be fragmented. This is stated by Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, professor of Child & Family Welfare at the University of Groningen, during her inaugural address on November 29. She argues that the system requires a comprehensive overhaul: less focus on labels and more attention to the person and their unique context.

Lichtwarck-Aschoff advocates for a fundamental shift in the approach to mental health issues. The current care system, where financing, organization, and content of treatment are determined based on classifications and categories, fails to do justice to the complexity of individuals, she argues. Mental health problems and recovery are, according to the professor, significantly dependent on the unique context and developmental history of a person. She thus calls for more tailored approaches.

Inspiration

Instead of the traditional, biomedical perspective on mental health issues, Lichtwarck-Aschoff argues for an approach inspired by the theory of complex dynamic systems. This framework, which is used to understand ecosystems and financial markets, can provide valuable insights into the psychological recovery process. According to her, recovery is rarely linear and is shaped by a variety of factors both within individuals and in their broader environment.

New Measurement Methods

The professor is also critical of current methods for measuring the effectiveness of treatments. She states that the focus on group averages and pre- and post-measurements does not adequately reflect the reality of mental recovery. She advocates for the use of personalized process monitoring, for example, through diary measurements. This method provides better insight into the ups and downs of the recovery process, according to her.

Successful Experiment at Molendrift

At the Groningen mental health institution Molendrift, work is already underway with these diary measurements. Both clients and healthcare professionals are very positive about the added value of this approach, which provides insight into the personal development of clients. Scientifically, the method also yields valuable insights, according to Lichtwarck-Aschoff.

Step by Step

Despite the high demands of youth care and the time required for widespread implementation of this method, Lichtwarck-Aschoff remains optimistic about the future. She envisions a gradual shift toward more tailored approaches that prioritize the individual and their unique circumstances. This evolution could pave the way for breaking down the barriers of rigid classifications and silos within youth care, fostering a more flexible, personalized, and context-oriented approach

Since 2021, Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff has been a professor of Special Needs Education at the University of Groningen. She holds the chair in Care for Children with Behavioural and Parenting Problems and is committed to better aligning mental health support with the complex needs of individuals.

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