Highly accessible youth initiatives worldwide aim to prevent worsening of mental health problems, but research into outcomes over time is scarce.

This study aimed to evaluate outcomes and support use in 12- to 25-year-old visitors of the @ease mental health walk-in centres, a Dutch initiative offering free counselling by trained and supervised peers.

Data of 754 visitors, collected 2018–2022, included psychological distress (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10 (CORE-10)), social and occupational functioning (Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS)), school absenteeism and support use, analysed with change indicators (first to last visit), and mixed models (first three visits).

Among return visitors, 50.5% were female, 79.4% were in tertiary education and 36.9% were born outside of The Netherlands (one-time visitors: 64.7%, 72.9% and 41.3%, respectively). Moreover, 29.9% of return visitors presented with suicidal ideations, 97.1% had clinical psychological distress levels, and 64.1% of the latter had no support in the previous 3 months (one-time visitors: 27.2%, 90.7% and 71.1%, respectively). From visit 1 to 3, psychological distress decreased (β = −3.79, 95% CI −5.41 to −2.18; P < 0.001) and social and occupational functioning improved (β = 3.93, 95% CI 0.51–7.36; P = 0.025). Over an average 3.9 visits, 39.6% improved reliably and 28.0% improved clinically significantly on the SOFAS, which was 28.4% and 8.8%, respectively, on the CORE-10, where 43.2% improved in clinical category. Counselling satisfaction was rated 4.5/5.

Reductions in psychological distress, improvements in functioning and high counselling satisfaction were found among @ease visitors, forming a basis for future research with a control group.

Worldwide, the division between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) has frequently resulted in fragmented care with an unprepared, non-gradual transition. To improve continuity of care and other service transition experiences, service user input is essential. However, such previous qualitative studies are from a decade ago or focused on one mental disorder or country. The aim of the present study was to learn from service users’ transition experiences and suggested improvements.

Semi-structured interviews were held with young people aged 18–24 and/or parents/caregivers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands and Croatia. Inclusion was based on the experience of specialist mental health care before and after turning 18. Thematic analysis of transcribed and translated interview transcripts was performed using ATLAS.ti 9.

Main themes of service user experiences included abrupt changes in responsibilities, various barriers and a lack of preparation, communication and ongoing care. Young people expressed a great need for continuity of care. Their suggestions to improve transitional care included early and adequate preparation, joint working, improved communication from and between services, overlapping services, staying at CAMHS for longer and designated youth mental health teams.

Young people who experienced care before and after turning 18 suggested either altering the age limits of services or ensuring early preparation and communication regarding the transition and finding AHMS. This communication should include general changes when turning 18. Further considerations include increasing collaboration and overlap between CAMHS and AMHS.