Eye-catching campaign featuring a 3-meter-tall bottle of *Spraakmakend* water sparks a conversation about mental health
The latest Health Monitor report from GGD Gelderland-Zuid shows that mental stress and feelings of loneliness among adults in the region remain as high as ever. During the national Mental Health Week, eleven collaborating municipalities in the Rijk van Nijmegen and Rivierenland regions are therefore joining forces with the “Hoe is het?” initiative. With a striking campaign, they aim to make it easier to talk about mental health. From June 2 to 13, the initiative will be visible at various locations throughout the region with a 3-meter-tall water bottle. Staff at these locations will also be handing out free bottles of Spraakmakend* water to start conversations with residents.
A simple conversation that can make a difference
Many people experience stress, sadness, or anxiety at some point in their lives. Talking about these feelings isn’t always easy. Through the “How are you?” initiative, the municipalities of Berg en Dal, Beuningen, Buren, Druten, Heumen, Mook en Middelaar, Neder-Betuwe, Nijmegen, Tiel, West Maas en Waal Wijchen want to show that a simple question can make all the difference. Not as a mere formality, but as a sincere moment of care: how is someone really doing? This fosters understanding, support, and connection.
Regional promotional events and an interactive quiz
Special promotional days will be held at various locations throughout the region between June 2 and 13. Residents can pick up a bottle of “Spraakmakend*” water at these events. Each bottle features a unique code that can be entered at www.hoe-is-het.nl/water or. Participants will have a chance to win a wellness day, courtesy of Thermen Resorts. The large, 3-meter-tall water bottle will be on display at the various locations during these days to attract attention. In addition to the street campaign, an interactive quiz is available online. Through relatable scenarios, residents discover what their personal “conversation reflex” is (such as narrative, connecting, observing, or helping). The quiz reveals unconscious patterns in our daily conversations and offers immediate practical tips and relevant podcast episodes. All with the same goal: to serve as an icebreaker for a conversation about how things are really going.
“Mental health is something that affects us all,” says project leader Anke van Diepenbeek of the City of Nijmegen. “Figures from GGD Gelderland-Zuid show that as many as 46% of residents are dealing with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. With this campaign and the distribution of Spraakmakend* water, we want to get people moving—both literally and figuratively—to break the silence. We’re making the conversation very accessible and close to home: right at local weekly markets, in town squares, and during events.”
Regional cooperation
This project is a joint initiative of the eleven municipalities listed above. They are organizing this campaign in close collaboration with regional partners such as Pro Persona Preventie. Together, they are calling on residents, schools, organizations, and businesses to start a conversation about mental health and to make a conscious effort to truly listen to one another.
Join in and share the message
Everyone is welcome to stop by on one of the action days between June 2 and 13. The current schedule and all locations can be found at www.hoe-is-het.nl/water. More general information about the initiative is available at hoe-is-het.nl.