A recent report by the socialist mutuality Solidaris highlights a growing demand for mental health support in Belgium, yet the services available are inadequate to meet the population's needs.

This increased demand can be partially attributed to a psychological care agreement initiated in late 2021, which has made consultations more affordable at 11 euros for regular patients and 4 euros for those in precarious situations.

The coalition government, known as Arizona, has expressed a commitment to expanding outpatient psychological services, although specific implementation details remain vague.

Solidaris particularly emphasizes the need to address the mental health challenges faced by women and low-income individuals, who are disproportionately affected by socioeconomic factors.

The report reveals that medication remains the primary method for managing mental health issues, with 86% of Solidaris members diagnosed with mental health disorders relying on some form of medication.

However, it is concerning that only 22.3% of those on antidepressants have consulted a mental health professional, indicating a heavy reliance on general practitioners for medication.

The study also notes an increase in medication usage among older adults, particularly those aged 46 and above, while access to mental health professionals for this demographic has decreased.

Despite a slight increase in consultations with mental health professionals—from 14.67% in 2021 to 15.86% in 2023—the overall need for mental health assistance has decreased slightly from 47.7% to 44.37%.

In light of these challenges, Solidaris advocates for the integration of psychological care into the social security system to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce reliance on fluctuating political decisions.

Ultimately, while there have been improvements in mental health care access, significant gaps remain between the demand for services and their actual provision.