Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - ZELIG Center

FAQ

• What criteria do you use to refer a young person to your program?

  ZELIG is a program designed for young people aged 12 to 21 residing in the Brussels-Capital Region who are experiencing recent psychological and functional difficulties, emerging within the last six months. The goal of ZELIG is to detect the early signs of psychiatric disorders before they escalate.

  These signs may include, for instance, a recent withdrawal from daily life, behavioral changes, a distorted perception of reality (feeling of strangeness), the onset of psychological distress, a breakdown in peer relationships, or disturbances in sensory perceptions—such as hearing whispers, seeing objects move, or experiencing unusual bodily sensations.

  In some cases, these symptoms may signal the onset of an emerging psychiatric condition, requiring timely and tailored intervention.

• Who can refer a young person to us?

  Young people can make requests themselves, as can their parents and/or close contacts. Any professional can also reach out to us, provided the young person is informed and gives their consent.

• How can I request an evaluation?

  You can send us an email at ZELIG [dot] PIJ [at] hubruxelles [dot] be.

  We will respond as quickly as possible to gather the initial necessary information and, if appropriate, schedule an appointment.

• What steps are involved in the evaluation process?

  To ensure a prompt response, the process begins with an initial interview involving two team members. This is followed by a medical appointment with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Additionally, other appointments may be scheduled for administering standardized assessment tools. Medical tests might also be prescribed to rule out any underlying physical conditions.

  At the end of this process, a feedback session is held with the involved team members to discuss the results and propose potential courses of action.

• What evaluation tools do you use?

  Our evaluations are comprehensive. They may include physical health assessments, semi-structured interviews, and standardized scales, all aimed at enriching and refining the care process.

• Are the services free of charge?

  The fees are regulated by INAMI rates. It is necessary to have valid health insurance coverage.

• Is there a similar program in the Flemish and Walloon regions?

  Walloon region(Liège) :

  • Équipes liégeoises - EcoTone
  • Le P.A.A.T.  (Pôle Ambulatoire - Age de Transition à Liège)

  Flemish Region:

  • Equipe de VRINT à LOUVAIN
  • Equipe mobile âge de transition à ANVERS
• What should I do if my child or friend isolates themselves and no longer leaves their home?

  You can reach out to mobile teams. The appropriate mobile team to contact will depend on the young person’s age and place of residence.

  For example: Bru-Stars - Réseau Bruxellois en Santé Mentale pour les Enfants et Adolescents

• Does your center provide support for families?

  Yes, we offer family support. The "BREF" module (sessions focused on family psychoeducation) is an intervention designed for the caregivers of young people supported by the ZELIG program.

  For additional support, you can also reach out to caregiver associations:

  • Similes - association pour les familles & amis 
  • Plateforme Bruxelloise pour la Santé mentale
• The evaluation… what happens next?

  The feedback from the assessments provides a range of tools that can benefit both the young person and their family or close contacts. Supported follow-up through individual sessions (medical, psychological, and case management) helps prevent or even avoid future deterioration.

  The tools include:

  • Establishing a care network if none exists and if it is relevant for the young person.
  • Psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic group workshops.
  • Support for the young person’s family/close contacts (psychoeducation).
  • Most importantly, reactivating the young person’s network to help them build a life project focused on personal growth, self-affirmation, maintaining and creating connections, and ultimately achieving self-realization.