The Belgian Federation for Outpatient Psychiatry (BFAP) was received today at the Federal Parliament for a substantive exchange of views with Member of Parliament Kathleen Depoorter (N-VA) regarding the future of outpatient mental health care in Belgium.
The meeting focused on the growing pressure on outpatient psychiatry and the need for a coherent policy framework. Topics such as multidisciplinary collaboration, psychotherapy, collaborative care, innovative treatments, and the safe tapering of antidepressants were discussed in detail.
Outpatient mental health care plays an increasingly crucial role within the healthcare landscape. Yet, for years, the sector remained limited in its representation within policy structures, despite the strong social impact of mental disorders and the increasing pressure on crisis intervention and residential care.
The BFAP emphasized the importance of accessible, evidence-based, and integrated care close to the patient’s living environment. Strong outpatient care is not only essential for patients and healthcare providers but also for the sustainability of the entire healthcare system.
The fact that outpatient psychiatry is now more prominently part of the federal policy debate is an important signal for the further development of mental health care in Belgium — and for the recognition of the outpatient sector as a full and strategic pillar within a modern, integrated mental health care system.