Last year, I participated in the discussion group Your Story! My mother has been struggling with psychological difficulties for a long time. I pay a lot of attention to her to avoid unpleasant situations. I also often worry about her. There is little recognition in my environment and I do not readily discuss it with others. Meanwhile, I have often felt that I can never get it right.

It was therefore very nice to be able to discuss my situation with others my age. We could recognise a lot from each other because we experienced the same things. I liked that we understood each other and could exchange tips. The counsellors made sure everything went well and there was no judgement. I learned that there is no right or wrong way to deal with my situation. I also learned how to find the balance by doing more things that give me energy.

My name is Amina. I am 19 years old and I am half Palestinian and half Syrian. I'm doing a service training Helping Care and Welfare and I work as a cashier at a supermarket.

I have been caring for my sister for 6 years because she has a muscular disease. I help her get dressed, sometimes shower and put on her headscarf. I think it is good to take care of my sister because it is better than letting a stranger take care of her. Now she doesn't have to feel ashamed. With me, fortunately, everything is going well. I don't find it difficult, I actually enjoy doing it. If it does become too much I ask my other sister to help her and then I take a break.

My golden tip for other young carers: Ask if someone can take over your caring tasks when it gets a bit too much!

My name is Marjolein. I am 22 years old, of Dutch origin, studying to become a Childcare Worker, and I work as a childminder. I have been caring for my mother for 10 years. She has had cancer and still has many physical complaints. I am mainly an emotional caregiver, for her anxieties and insecurities. I call her every day, and we talk about how her day went and how she's doing. And when my father isn't around, I take over his tasks: cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking. I like caring for my mother, but it's sometimes difficult. Her anxiety sometimes takes over, and I feel very sorry for her. I never find it physically too much, but emotionally it can sometimes be a lot.

If it becomes too much for me, I take a break and do something else. I often do this because my head feels a bit full at that moment.

My golden tip for other young carers: Keep doing fun things and always try to communicate well with the one you care for. And talk to people about what is happening and what you find difficult.

My name is Anne. I'm 16 years old, of Dutch origin and I'm in my final year of secondary school (VWO 6). I've been looking after my younger sister for 15 years. She has TSC, which is a learning disability.

I find looking after my younger sister difficult. It's particularly hard that she always has to come first when something's going on, which sometimes makes me feel like I'm never the priority. It's also sometimes hard to see friends of mine who have siblings the same age, and then realise how much they can do together, because I know I'll never be able to do that. I have mental health issues myself, and because of that, things often don't go well for me. It helps me to sometimes just get away from home, by meeting up with friends or staying at my aunt's. I also like going to the library when things get a bit too much; it's always very quiet there, and you can just stay as long as you want.

My golden tip for other young carers: You are also important, even when it doesn't feel like it for a while, you can really put yourself first.

When I started caring for my grandmother more, I would have liked more support from school. I would have liked school to have some concrete tools on the website and information about support so that I could find everything faster and better. I did eventually come into contact with Jehzira Huwaë of Mantelzorg Nijmegen through the HAN. Apart from the psychologist, it was the first time I really spoke openly with her about what was going on and what it was like for me. That helped me a lot. And this experience with her made it easier for me to talk about it. Our contact lowered the threshold for me. So I can say it had a lot of impact.