These organisations assert that insufficient investment is made in the Netherlands in the mental capital of citizens. This contributes to school drop-out, tightness on the labour market (unnecessary) absenteeism, and also contains the danger of increased alienation, dissatisfaction and social unrest. The 'manifesto for a broadly based commitment towards mental health' which was drawn up by four GGZ mental health ambassadors and initiated by ZonMw, GGZ Nederland and the Trimbos Institute, calls for a complete turnaround in policy. The manifesto asserts that citizens, government, organisations and businesses should together take responsibility and undertake action to acquire more knowledge about expanding mental capital.
Former junior minister for health and member of parliament, Dick Dees; former director of, inter alia, health insurer VGZ-IZA-TRIAS-UNIVÉ, Boudewijn Dessing; psychiatrist and director, Armand Höppener, as well as Arga Paternotte of the parents association 'Balans' spoke during the past year with representatives of clients, professional groups and GGz mental health organisations, insurers, primary care, the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER), education, youth and law enforcement, science, policy and municipal and national government. A clear conclusion was reached: citizens in different parts of society have a considerable need for support for mental health issues. Various parties in society experience a large gap between the current and the ideal situation. This gap is made larger by a lack of applied knowledge in the area of prevention, self-management and e-health support.
Urgent need for greater cooperation
The ambassadors put forward the conclusions and they indicate how solutions might be found in the form of a broad programme of action. According to their proposals, knowledge about optimal mental functioning and good mental health should be disseminated throughout society, and greater use should be made of experiential knowledge about functioning with a mental limitation and/or mental health disorder. In the light of the current economic situation and major societal issues regarding youth, the elderly, the big cities (homeless people) employment and safety, it is important for various groups to put their shoulders to the wheel together. In this respect, the GGz will only be able to take the lead successfully, if the sectors consulted themselves make a contribution, based on their expertise. This means more and better cooperation between the GGz and somatic health care, public health care and groups in areas such as parenting, education, employment, housing, public administration and law enforcement. This must all take place from the perspective of citizens and clients.
More information: Marjan Heuving
