Zorg Zonder Grenzen
A platform that helps immigrants and newcomers access culturally sensitive mental health care.
Users can search for professionals based on language, culture, and lived experience to find mental health support that feels relevant and accessible.
My role
Product designer
Timeline
2 months (2025)
Responsibilities
Ideation, user research, wireframing, prototyping
Tools used
Figma, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
overview
Problem
Immigrants and newcomers struggle to find mental health care that acknowledges their cultural background, language, and lived experience.
This lack of culturally sensitive support can create barriers to seeking help and reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
The goal
To create a platform that makes culturally competent mental health care more accessible.
By matching individuals with therapists who understand their culture and language, the platform aims to improve trust, connection, and treatment outcomes.
Solution
A platform where the user can...
01
Find a therapist or practice
02
Get help with a step-by-step guide
03
Use resources for mental heatlh
04
Translate the website using machine translation
Aimed at immigrants and newcomers.
Key features
Directory
A comprehensive and intuitive search feature that enables users to easily find therapists or practices based on filters such as location, language, specialties, identity and more.
Presenting essential details on the therapist card that helps users to make informed decisions.
Profile page
Provides a clear overview of the therapist’s information.
Helps users decide whether the therapist is a good fit by a personal introduction and highlighting skills, knowledge, education, credentials and practical information.
Step-by-step guide
Explains how the Dutch mental health care system works in a clear and accessible way.
Helps users understand where to start, what referrals are needed, how to find the right therapist and how costs and insurance are arranged.
Resources
A library of resources offering reliable information, self-help tools, and articles to support users in understanding and managing their mental health.
Final design
research
Methodologies
Research online
Interviews
Personas
Target users
Immigrants (first and second generation)
Refugees
Expats
Research online
By doing research online, I looked at the importance of culturally sensitive mental health care.
I gathered valuable insights into the challenges faced by diverse communities in accessing effective mental health care.
Most important findings
A
Immigrants, refugees and expats are a large part of the Dutch population.
As of January 1, 2024, 28% of the Netherlands' population consisted of individuals either born abroad (first generation) or born in the Netherlands to at least one parent born abroad (second generation) (CBS). As of January 1, 2025, there are 260.000 refugees in the Netherlands.
B
Immigrants and newcomers are often less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to nonimmigrants, despite an equal or greater need.
A study shows they face significant hurdles in accessing care such as understanding of mental illness, fear of stigma, lack of awareness of services, attitudes towards formal treatment, language barriers, and providers’ attitude and competence.
C
Research has consistently shown that language and cultural understanding are critical factors in effective therapy.
Culturally sensitive and tailored care is vital when treating people from diverse backgrounds, having a range of traditions, languages, faiths, and cultural norms around mental wellness and ill health that differ from the majority perception.
Interviews
During the research phase of the project, I conducted informal interviews with 3 potential users to understand their pain points about taking the step to talk to a therapist.
This helped shape design decisions based on authentic pain points and practical expectations.
Common pain points
1
Language barriers
Difficulty expressing emotions or complex experiences in Dutch or English.
2
Cultural mismatch
Worry that therapists may not understand their cultural norms, values, traditions, religion, or family dynamics.
3
System complexity / overwhelming
Confusion about how to access care, referrals, and insurance in the Dutch healthcare system.
4
Accessibility
Difficulty finding therapists who speak their native language.
The challenge
“How might we make mental health care in the Netherlands more accessible for immigrants and newcomers by reducing stigma, simplifying the system, and connecting them with therapists who understand their language and culture?”
Personas
Based on research and informal interviews, I created two personas. These personas represent typical users who face barriers such as language, stigma, cultural mismatch, and difficulty navigating the Dutch healthcare system.
Yuxuan
Age: 56
Family: widower, 2 children (age 23 & 27)
Occupation: unemployed
"I lost my wife and my routine at the same time. I just want to find my way again."
Yixiong is a widower navigating life after the loss of his spouse. With his two adult children living independently, he feels a mix of grief, loneliness, and uncertainty about the future. Having recently lost his job, he is trying to find purpose and stability while adjusting to life on his own.
Goals
Process his grief and find emotional support to cope with loneliness.
Rebuild his life and regain financial and personal stability.
Connect with a therapist who speak his language and understands his cultural background and values.
Finding help to navigate the Dutch mental healthcare system.
Frustrations
Feels isolated and struggles to adapt to life without his spouse.
Difficulty expressing emotions in Dutch or English
Concerned that cultural differences may prevent therapists from understanding his experience.
Finds it difficult to ask for help or share emotions openly due to cultural norms.
Amina
Age: 24
Family: single
Occupation: student
“I’ve lived here all my life, but sometimes I still feel like I don’t fully belong in either world.’’
Amina is a student working on her master’s degree. She grew up in the Netherlands but often feels pressure navigating between her family’s cultural traditions and Dutch society. She has started to suspect she might have ADHD, but she feels unable to discuss this openly with her family.
Goals
Help managing identity struggles and family expectations.
Find a therapist who understands the challenges of bicultural identity and understands Islamic values.
Access professional help to explore her suspicion of ADHD.
Learn to manage stress, anxiety, and concentration challenges related to studies.
Frustrations
Feels caught between two cultures: Dutch society and family’s cultural/religious expectations.
Hesitant to seek therapy due to stigma around mental health in her community.
Worries a therapist may not understand her faith or the importance of religion in her daily life.
design
Ideation
Concept
Clear information
Accessible
Core functionalities
Machine translation available
Search the website function
Account with saved therapists/practices
Key features
Find a therapist or practice
- Extensive search filters
- Clear information on the cards
- Clear overview of therapist in profile page
- Ability to bookmark/save therapists/practicesStep-by-step guide
- Accessible
- Clear steps
- Clear informationResources
- Accessible
- Clear overview
Wireframes
User testing insights
Make the sign-up button more prominent to guide new users
Organise resources by adding clear categories
Visual identity
Concept
finding a balance between:
• professional
• clean
• soft
• accessible
Logo
Color palette
Typography
Figtree Regular
Figtree SemiBold
Final design
Mobile design
Desktop design
retrospective
Reflection
This was my first time designing a website, which made the process both exciting and challenging. I found it difficult to define a visual identity, since the design could go in so many directions. In the end, I learned how important it is to stay focused and consistent when creating something for such a diverse userbase.
Next steps
I’d like to look at the following steps:
• Refine the visual identity of the platform so it feels more consistent and welcoming.
• Improve accessibility across the platform.
• Continue user testing and gather feedback from immigrants and newcomers.
thanks for reading!
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