Mental health support, reporting

How does it work?

Family members or neighbors can report serious concerns about someone to the municipality. The municipality will then investigate what help is needed. The person concerned can then receive help as quickly as possible. It may also be the case that someone is a danger to themselves or their surroundings. We call this a crisis. In that case, the person needs immediate help.

What should I do?

• You call the municipality
• In case of an emergency, call 911.

How long will it take?

• As a concerned family member, you will receive the results of the investigation within 14 days.
• Do you disagree with the outcome? Then you can demand that the public prosecutor investigate the case after all.
• If you are not a close relative, you will not receive any information about the outcome.
• After you report the situation, compulsory mental health care can be provided immediately in a crisis situation. This is done on the basis of a medical statement from a psychiatrist. The mayor must take crisis measures within 18 hours of the compulsory care being provided.

Additional information

After you report the situation, the municipality will investigate whether help is needed and, if so, what kind. This is done by means of a preliminary investigation. A staff member trained in psychiatry will assess whether the person poses a danger to themselves or others. The staff member will also investigate whether this is due to a psychiatric disorder.

Mandatory care

Only when there is no other option will the municipality impose compulsory care. In that case, the municipality will ask the public prosecutor for a care authorization. Ultimately, the judge will decide whether this person will receive compulsory care. A person who needs compulsory care can receive care at home or be admitted to a care institution.

Patient advocate

A person who needs mental health care is entitled to assistance from a patient confidant (pvp). This is someone who is employed by the independent PVP Foundation. If the person wishes, the municipality will pass on his or her contact details to this foundation.