Geestelijke volksgezondheid: een zorg van velen

- The National Committee for Mental Healthcare has, on behalf of the minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, issued a statement concerning the mental health of the Dutch population and how the provision of mental healthcare can be improved. Over the past 20 years, the number of registrations in mental healthcare has more than doubled to several percent of the population. In an increasing order of relevance the following explanations for the increase are proposed: higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, more accessible care, double registrations due to transmural care and, in particular, changes in society where psychiatric professional care is more likely to be called in for emotions accompanying social problems. According to the committee, medicalisation of problems does not contribute to the solution of the extensive psychosocial problems that have to be faced by individuals in our society. In her recommendations, the committee indicates that the search for new care arrangements is urgently required. Care must once again be primarily provided in the system within which the problems occur. This timely and justified report calls for a re-evaluation of the broad organisation of mental healthcare.