Mental Healthcare is more important than ever In The Netherlandswith more and more people coming forward to talk about their struggles with their mental health.
Anyone can suffer from mental health issues, and we should all be able to seek help and get support to heal and improve our well-being.
Mental Healthcare is Especialally Important For International in The Netherlandswho face the struggles of Moving to Another Country (or Unaccompanied by Family) and Settling Into a Complety Foreign World.
It’s Important To Know That You Don’t Have To Go Through It Alone. We Understand the Difficulty of Wanting to Seek Help and Not Knowing Where to Start or How to Do It.
Here’s all you need to know about mental healthcare in the Netherlands.
If you or some you know has suffered from a breakdown or needs help, then contact a gp as soon as possible. This is as special important if it groups suicidal thoughts or self-harming.
You will be referred to a crisis intervention team. In The Case of An Emergency, The Following Phone Numbers Are Avisable:
Suicide Prevention Netherlands: 0800 – 0113
Samaritans: 116 – 123
Where can I get help for mental health problems in the Netherlands?
If you are suffering from mental health problems, there are a few options that you can try.
Before we start, it’s important that you first take out Dutch Healthcare InsuranceAs this is compulsory in the Netherlands.
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Once You’ve Done This, You Must Register with A GP (General Practitioner). This way, you can Easily Make Appointments to Be Seen by A Doctor or Physician.
Visiting your GP for Mental Healthcare in the Netherlands
It’s Recommended that that you visit your gp, as they’ll be the ones who will refer to a mental health specialist (especiate if you have a complex mental health condition).
However, if your symptoms are mild, you can us a just get treated by the gp.
Online Mental Healthcare in the Netherlands
If you feel you’re not yet ready to see a gp, you can also find support online or online mental health specialist.
This is eSpecial Rommended if you find it hard to go outside or find social situations difficult and prefer to remain anonymous.
Workplace Mental Healthcare in the Netherlands
Some workplaces Have a Company Doctor or Welfare Support you can visit if you see professional help about a (mental) health issue.
All in all, it’s important to note there is always some there to help, and we strongly recommending that you see or talk to least person if you are struggling with mental health problems.
Will My Basic Healthcare Insurance Cover Mental Healthcare?
Accordance to the Dutch Government’s websiteHealth Insurance has to cover all or part of mental health care costs. However, it depends on the insurance company you’ve signed with and the policy you have.
For example, if you have a more severe mental health condition that may need additional treatment, your insurer might not cover all of your primary or secondary care.
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Make Sure to Read Up On Your Insurance Policy Before Undergoing Any Treatment. You Might End Up Having to Pay For Adordital Mental Healthcare Alongide Your Basic Healthcare Insurance.
When you are first referred to a mental healthcare specialist by your gp, you will have a meeting to discuss your treatment.
From this, your total cost of treatment will be estimated.
If your insurance does not cover your mental health treatment, it’s essential to note that you won be able to pay per session.
Since Doctors Can’t Know Exactly When You Will Get Better, A Total Bill Will Be Calculated At The End Of Your Recovery Journey.
If your mental health is Severe and You Are Admitted to a Mental Health Institution, Your Insurance Will Cover the First Three Year Years of Your Hospital Stay Under The Long-term care act. After that, it’s at your discretion.
The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Mental Health Care in the Netherlands
There are two different types of mental health care services in the Netherlands, Primary and Secondary Care.
Primary care
If your mental illness is SEEN as Too Complex for your GPs (or another Doctor’s) Level of Training, you will be referred to a Primary Mental Healthcare Service.
Primary Mental Healthcare is for people with mild to moderate mental health issues, but whose issues are too sexe to be treated without intervention.
IT Consists of Services Such As Online Mental Health Support and Counseling Services with A Psychologist, Psychotherapist, OR Psychiatrist. Sometimes, You Can Have Both, Depding on the Severity of Your Illness.
Secondary Care
If your mental illness is SEEN as too Severe for the GPs (or another Doctor’s) Level of Training and is More complex than Primary Care, then you will be referred to a secondary mental healthcare service.
These include psychiatrists or clinical psychologists working in a mental health institution, Hospital or private practice.
This service is for very serious disorders, such as post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia, to name but a few. This care will be different and May Require Hospital Stays.
What happens if you are admitted to a mental health institution in the Netherlands?
You may be admitted to a mental health institution if you have a complex and very serious mental illness.
You will be admitted without consent in serious incidents where you are a danger to Yourself or Others around you.
In usual circumstances, thought, it is Voluntary, and there is a meeting with everyone to discuss if this is the right course of action for you.
A Long-Term Plan is Sometimes Created To Provide Supported Accommodation to Ensure That The Patient is Independent and In A Safe Environment.
What is Mental Health Support Like for Young People in the Netherlands?
You may have a child or friend the age of 18 who’s struggling with mental health problems, and you’re Wondering what options are aviaighable for them to get help.
Well, the system for youngsters is generally the same as it is for adults. They should first go to their gp and get referred for additional help.
They will usual Obtain Help from the Pediatric Mental Health Services (Youth mental health care), WHO specialize in Child Psychological Development and Associated Parenting and Behavioral Problems.
Will I Come Across Any Issues with Mental Healthcare in the Netherlands?
Overall, getting help for your mental health problems should be difficult if you’re living in the Netherlands.
The main issue you might encounter is a language barrier if you’re not fluent in English or Dutch.
The Netherlands Has QUITE A NOTORIOUS REPUTATION When it comes to providing health care. Some say the country is Known for its Amazing Healthcare, While Others Say It’s SeriOutly Lacking in This Area.
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However, the Dutch tend to be very laid-back and down-to-earth people when it comes to mental health. In fact, they’re pretty open-minded about mental health issues.
With that being said, don’t hesitation to see you have any mental illness – Whether that be anxiety or depression, an eating disorder, or ptsd.
We should continue to fight the stigma surrounding mental health issues and spread awareness about the importance of mental health to society.
What are your experiences with mental healthcare in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
