Fix It Fest

The Fix It Fest is a unique event in Tilburg, where young people make a direct impact on policies and regulations about themselves. On September 29 at the Willem II stadium, a manifesto will be signed to improve the mental health of young people. This manifesto is the result of input from young people including during the FCKD Gen Fest. The time has come for young people to have a say in how their mental health is handled. We spoke to some of these young people. In this article we would like to tell you more about the Fix It Fest, what preceded it, why events like this are so crucial and what you can expect on Sept. 29!

What is Fix It Fest?

Fix It Fest is an event that revolves around the mental health of young people in the Tilburg area. It is a place where young people, youth professionals and policy makers come together to talk about the challenges we face as young people. The highlight of the event is the presentation and signing of a manifesto that will be a starting point for new initiatives and collaborations to improve youth mental health. By signing this manifesto, professionals and policymakers are saying they stand behind the points that were drafted using input from young people at the FCKD Gen Fest, among other events.

What has led up to Fix It Fest?

Fix It Fest has its origins in a collaboration that began in January 2023. The Municipality of Tilburg, 'Samen met de Jeugd' and T*agency wanted to organize an event with the theme of mental health of young people. Together with several young people from these organizations, we then set to work to turn an it from an idea into an event. This led to the FCKD Gen Fest, a festival organized entirely by and for young people that was at the Hall of Fame at the end of May. We wanted to break the taboo around mental health and understand how young people experience their mental well-being in everyday life. 
After that, there were two impact sessions, where solutions and improvements were looked at together with young people. Finally, a manifesto was drafted together with researchers from Fontys pedagogy with a powerful call to action to address young people's mental health. And this will be presented and signed at the Fix It Fest.

Why are events like Fix It Fest so important?

Through this festival, we want to give an insight into the challenges around mental health that we face every day. The world we grow up in is full of uncertainties and challenges, from financial worries to global crises. Moreover, we are faced daily with the pressures of social media, where perfection seems to be the norm. But we are eager to discover together what it takes to improve the mental well-being of young people. In this, the fact that policy makers and professionals are signing this manifesto is a positive step toward change.

Also, events like the Fix It Fest and the FCKD Gen Fest are important for raising awareness around this issue. This awareness is not only good for young people, that it is okay to talk about your emotions, but also for policy makers and professionals who often make decisions about us without talking to us. The fact that these festivals are now drawing on a manifesto in which our needs and dreams for the future are the basis makes it clear why the Fix It Fest is so important.

Finally, what can you expect at  Fix It Fest?

At the Fix It Fest, participants can expect a good atmosphere, inspiration and information about youth mental health. There will be several workshops around the topic and information booths where you can learn more about the existing places and projects available to young people. There will also be plenty of opportunity to network and connect with youth professionals, policy makers and other young people in the region. Not to mention, the manifesto will be signed to take action together for mental health among young people!