Increasing use of Dutch mental health care: an investigation

Abstract

Background: In the Netherlands, a previous study has shown an increase in the 1-year prevalence of patients in mental health care during the 1990s. Though the number of inpatients decreased, this decrease was far outweighed by a large increase of patients in community care, causing an increase in total year prevalence. The current study aimed at an explanation. Methods: The Groningen psychiatric case register was used to determine treated incidence and prevalence over a 9-year period for different age groups. Results: Incidence rates proved fairly stable. The increased prevalence was primarily caused by the growing number of existing cases. People had their first encounter with mental health care at an earlier age and remained in care for a larger part of their life. Conclusions: Results indicate that the accessibility of Dutch mental health care was increased by the implementation of community care. In contrast to other countries, Dutch community care lowered the threshold for mental health care utilization without broadening the target group of mental health services.