De onbekende mantelzorger en www.Survivalkid.nl

Informal young caregivers and www.survivalkid.nl

A large number of children in the Netherlands grow up with a physically or mentally ill or addicted family member. They run the risk of developing problems themselves. Special preventive activities have been developed to support this group of young people. The problem is, however, that these ’young caregivers’ are difficult to reach. In this article an analysis is presented of why this is so and a different approach to this target group is described in order to better reach them. On www.survivalkid.nl young people can, anonymously, chat with companions, mail and chat with coaches, find information, do little tests and exercises, keep a weblog, etc. Various organisations can use this online opportunity to come into contact with this invisible group and offer the young support from their own expertise and background. Survivalkid as an example of a junction for integrated care.

Keywords: informal young caregivers, mental illness, physical illness, substance abuse disorder, addiction, prevention, online support, family care