Catch your breath in Het Lichthuis
Recently residents with psychological complaints in West can go to Het Lichthuis. The aim of Het Lichthuis is to prevent these residents from falling into a crisis. Pien ter Voert devised the Light House. she was nominated as Amsterdammer of the Year.
Psychological help is often available in a handset during the weekend evenings. In order not to let it come to that, there is Het Lichthuis in Amsterdam. A place to catch your breath, without treatment program.
Outcome
Ter Voert: “At the weekend, the practitioners are free, there is only crisis relief. There was nothing in between. But you want to prevent people from getting into a crisis. You want to be there as early as possible when people have problems. That’s how I came up with the idea for Het Lichthuis. The Light House is a solution for people who are afraid that they will end up in a crisis. For example after a violent event. Or if the switch to new medicines or a new treatment is difficult. Or the transition home, after a recording.”
Acquainted
“People who want to use Het Lichthuis first have an introductory meeting. We always ask why they want to use Het Lichthuis and what they need.”
‘We’re just there’
“We provide social contact and some distraction. People can grab some food from a cup of coffee here and even chat. With one of the volunteers from each other. From just being quiet. We don’t do anything special here, we’re just there.”
More information
The Lichthuis West is located at Witte de Withplein 4. The Lichthuis is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm to 11 pm. Call, app or mail for an introductory appointment on 06 1977 3550 or mail to [email protected].