Those affected can find suitable help quickly and easily. The city’s children’s commissioner, Maria Haller-Kindler, underlines the relevance of the platform: “Children and young people have a right to grow up healthy and to support in the event of psychological stress. I am delighted that we in Stuttgart can use the ‘Between The Lines’ app to provide affected young people with simple and anonymous access to information and help. Mental health problems are a challenge for society as a whole in view of the various crises, and no child or young person should feel left alone.”
The burden on children and young people has increased significantly since the coronavirus pandemic and in view of the many crises of our time. In order to implement preventive measures to strengthen mental health more effectively, “Between The Lines” picks up young people where they spend most of their time: on their smartphones. The app provides those affected with offers of help and information about their life situation. They can decide for themselves which help is right for them. Users can find advice centers, therapeutic practices and clinics in their area, all clearly explained.
Oliver Kröger, co-founder of the non-profit company Between The Lines, has been working in a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic for over 15 years and knows the challenges: “We want to move away from a system where the fire is only put out when there is a fire. Instead, we want to strengthen prevention: Young people need to find valid information and contacts for their issues as early as possible and independently, even for minor problems. This is a very good way to counteract the threat of mental illness.”
In addition to six other municipalities in which the app has been successfully introduced, it is now also active in Stuttgart and is being publicized via schools and facilities for children and young people. Thanks to support from the media company Ströer, the app is also being communicated in the “In Stuttgart” section on digital media at S-Bahn and Stadtbahn stops.
The free and ad-free app with all local offers of help and contact points is now available to download from the Google Play Store and Apple Store and can also be found at https://app.between-the-lines.info/ (opens in a new tab).
The platform is being implemented in Stuttgart in cooperation between Between The Lines gGmbH, the youth welfare planning department of the Youth Welfare Office and the Ferry Porsche Foundation with the support of the Children’s Office.
The future action plan for child and youth-friendly communities 2024 to 2026 also includes a mental health measure to raise awareness of the topic and strengthen the resilience of children and young people.
Further information is available from the Children’ s Office: Phone 216-60764, e-mail kinderbuerostuttgartde
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