Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Carers, and Patient Associations from the Netherlands share Perspective for 2035

The EPA is pleased to share the Perspective on a Mentally Healthier 2035, a joint initiative of MIND, the Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care (de Nederlandse GGZ), the Netherlands Institute of Psychologists (NIP) and the Netherlands Psychiatric Association (NVvP) to set a common vision and raise a shared voice for the mental health sector in the Netherlands.

“People’s mental health is close to our hearts. Support and care for people with psychological symptoms or mental health problems are under intolerable pressure. Action is needed now for a mentally healthier 2035.”

It is important that we as a society increasingly accept that mental problems are part of life. In order to keep care and support available, affordable and of sufficient quality, more attention must be paid to ‘network care’. In which care – including funding – flexibly moves with the needs of the person. In this way, worsening of problems can be prevented if timely help is offered to people. It requires a better distinction between real care questions and questions that arise from other problems such as stress, debts or performance pressure. By using network care, we can reduce waiting times and there is faster access to other options for appropriate support, such as a conversation with an experienced expert.

In order to slow down the increase in mental health problems and to keep care and support available, more attention needs to be paid to prevention. Through early detection in schools, low-threshold support in the neighbourhoods and support for programmes such as Mental Health First Aid. It also requires investments in sufficient healthcare professionals. They are essential and should be given more space to do their work in the best possible way. This requires better working conditions, more use of technology and strengthening professional autonomy.

Knowledge and data as a foundation

Promoting knowledge sharing between healthcare professionals, scientific researchers, experts by experience and social organisations stimulates innovation in mental healthcare and increases quality. It is important that we put the insights more into practice by sharing them with GPs, but also with schools and employers.

“As psychiatrists, we see every day how requests for help can develop into complex complaints and illnesses. This emphasises the need to better organise early support and to deploy our capacity in a more targeted manner. I am pleased with this collaboration in which we are joining forces to realise structural solutions. This can not only shorten waiting lists, but also improve the quality and accessibility of care, so that patients receive the support they really need, at the right time and in the right place.” Prof. Niels Mulder, NVvP President

The EPA welcomes this collaboration among communities from the mental health space in the Netherlands. Their initiative represents a significant step towards  recognising and adapting to address the vital importance of mental health across Europe.

▶ Read the Perspective on a Mentally Healthier 2035 and see more news from the Netherlands Psychiatric Association (NVvP).