A large, hairy monster that accompanies you everywhere: that is the theme image of the government campaign to make psychological problems more visible and also more open to discussion. Do you feel anxious, depressed, stressed? Does that ‘monster’ always sit next to you? Then talk about it with those around you, is the message, and if that is not enough, seek help. It is the first time that the government has launched such a major campaign to break down the taboo surrounding psychological problems.
On the accompanying website pratenerover.be, the public receives more information about where you can find help, for which complaints and how much it (but) costs. “Many people experience the price as a barrier, but an individual session with a conventional psychologist or educational psychologist in primary care only costs 11 euros, and a group session only 2.5 euros. For young people under the age of 24, everything is even free,” said Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit).
Nearly 300,000 compatriots have used this primary psychological care since its inception. Many of them were young: more than one in three was younger than 24 years old. One in four of the users was entitled to an increased compensation, this was even more among young people. “That shows that the convention reaches the most vulnerable groups, and that was one of the objectives,” said Vandenbroucke.
Women make more use of this care than men. Older people, over 65, are underrepresented: “It remains a challenge to reach them as well.”
Dashboard with numbers
Primary psychological care is not intended to deal with complex problems. To clarify what is going on if you often feel anxious, sad, gloomy or stressed, and when those feelings get in the way of your daily life. “It is an early and rather preventive form of help, which has a major effect,” says psychologist Koen Lowet, affiliated with the CM health insurance fund. “A study by CM has already shown that this reduces the use of medication.”
The health insurance funds, hospitals, healthcare providers and the Riziv have worked together to develop a ‘dashboard’ on the use of primary psychological care. All data can be found there, including per region and per network. Today, approximately 3,900 healthcare providers are affiliated and 162 million euros have been invested in it. That money is distributed through the networks, so that no region is left behind.
There are no waiting lists, although it may take a few weeks before you can see an affiliated psychologist. The networks themselves refer to a psychologist who has space, thus ensuring that the supply is used to the maximum extent possible. You can consult the dashboard via the website ned.mycare.net/algemene-diensten/mental-health.
