The mental health care (ggz) in the Netherlands is bursting at the seams. Never before have we as a country relied so much on the ggz and spent so much as a society on mental health care (5.5 billion in 2024, compared to less than 4 billion in 2019). Despite the fact that there have never been so many people working in mental health care, the waiting times are far too long. Especially for those who need mental health care the most. People with personality disorders, eating disorders, or trauma have to wait an average of about 25 weeks. Secretary of State Vincent Karremans (Youth, Prevention, and Sports) is therefore presenting today the first part of his action program for mental health and ggz, in which he announces significant choices in mental health care to turn the tide.

Secretary of State Karremans: “At this moment, psychological help for mild mental issues is simply being offered too quickly, where actually a different solution would be better. As a result, people with severe and complex psychological issues have to wait too long for help.” Often, the solution for mild mental issues lies outside the ggz, for example with good debt assistance. Therefore, Karremans wants people with mild mental issues not to unnecessarily end up in the ggz if it is not needed, but to be helped with a solution that noticeably helps them.

Previously, it was agreed in the Integral Care Agreement to establish accessible support points throughout the country. Currently, there are already 278 in the Netherlands. These support points contribute to the recovery of people who lose their roles in society due to mental health problems. An additional effect is that this relieves the ggz and reduces waiting times. Karremans also wants better data exchange in the ggz, so that insurers are better able to actively connect patients who are on a waiting list to a care provider that has space available quickly. He is exploring what legislation is needed for this.

The Secretary of State also wants to work with providers and patient organizations to look at the best treatment duration.

“Sometimes we treat in the ggz for a very long time, without it yielding any meaningful improvement for the patient. At some point, we need to say: this solution does not work, we will approach it differently.”

For a small portion of people, the availability of specific ggz offerings is crucial. If this care is removed, it has immediate consequences for those who need this care. For this part of the ggz, namely acute ggz, Karremans wants to take an extra step with parties in the coming period to limit market forces so that the availability of this care is better guaranteed.

We have known for some time that mental health in the Netherlands is under pressure. 30% of young people are struggling with mental issues, while 5 years ago it was 20%. Karremans announces that he will come up with measures to improve the mental health of (especially) young people in the second part of the action program for mental health and ggz before the summer. Previously, the Secretary of State announced that he is working on clear guidelines/advice for (mentally) healthy screen and social media use. These are also expected before the summer.