Research
As we are committed to maximizing impact, we prioritize (cost-)effectiveness research to ensure every euro delivers the greatest possible good through evidence-based, transparent decisions.
How it started
We are a group of motivated professionals who connected through the Moral Ambition and Effective Altruism communities, driven by a shared sense that mental health is an urgent issue. We wanted to use our free time to contribute in a way that truly makes an impact, focusing on effectiveness.
Instead of jumping into solution mode, we conducted a literature and market review to verify whether the problem we identified was indeed as urgent and widespread as it seemed. We wanted to ensure that our understanding was grounded in evidence and to learn from existing solutions already in use. Throughout this process, we kept an open mind, recognising that improving or expanding existing interventions might be more effective than creating something entirely new.
Scale
Mental health
Globally, mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability in children and youth, accounting for a quarter of all YLDs (years lived with disability) (54.2 million).*
Youth crisis
Half of all mental disorders begin before the age of 18.* They are often preceded by general psychosocial difficulties, which can develop into serious mental health issues.*
System strain
Neglectedness
Parents are key
The quality of the parent-child relationship is strong predictor of children's mental health*, yet current systems remain predominantly focused on treatment after problems have already emerged.
Parenting interventions work
Economic evaluations of parenting interventions consistently demonstrate good value for money, particularly in preventing both externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems.*
Parents receive little support
Our research confirms a clear demand for trustworthy and low key parenting support. 72% of Dutch parents reported concerns about their child's development in the past year, yet only 2% participated in a formal parenting intervention.* Most parents don't feel the need for formal support and the threshold to seek it remains high.
Solvability
Online support is effective & scalable
Making parenting interventions digitally accessible, we can reach large numbers of families at low marginal cost. Research confirms that online parenting programs show consistent positive effects on child outcomes and parental functioning and are particularly well-suited to meet parents where they already seek information.*
Peer support works
Parents do not always need a professional to feel supported. Evidence shows that facilitating mutual support among parents significantly reduces parenting stress and increases parenting confidence.* Scalable peer-supported models can complement or even replace parts of formal care pathways, at a fraction of the cost.
The solution
As a non-profit foundation, we are uniquely positioned to build this infrastructure independently. Free from commercial incentives, resistant to political cycles, and focused solely on long-term impact. Structural, evidence-based online parenting support can be delivered at low cost, and built to last.
Our approach
To ensure our solution fits real-world needs, we co-create the program with both parents and professionals. We combine scientific insights with practical experience, keeping usability and inclusivity in mind.
Our goal is to have measurable, long-term impact. We’re committed to adapting our approach if the evidence shows it’s necessary. All materials are openly available under a Creative Commons license, so others can join in, share, and help improve them.
We transparently share our reasoning, methods, and outcomes, including what doesn’t work. By doing so, we hope to make it easier for others to learn from, build on, or improve what we’ve started.
Timeline
2025-2027
Co-iterative development
We are currently in the co-iterative development phase of the programme. In the coming months, we will conduct usability tests with parents and professionals, and organise focus groups to explore optimal formats for group sessions. Once finalised, we plan to evaluate the programme’s impact using measures such as WELLBY and OBVL (parenting distress).
2027-2028
Effectiveness study
Looking ahead, we are interested in research on cost-effectiveness, including trials examining blended support versus fully online and fully face-to-face formats. We are also interested in questions around self-help versus professional guidance, identifying what works for whom, and understanding the role of specific components and dosage. Additionally, we aim to improve the inclusion and engagement of fathers and male caregivers, who are often underrepresented in this field.
While not all of these questions are suited to student projects, we believe parts of this agenda align well with thesis research at different levels, and we welcome ideas on potential collaborations.