WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao has taken a significant step in mental healthcare with the launch of the Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ (Central Crisis Mental Health Service). This initiative, part of Minister of Health Javier Silvania’s Mental Healthcare Restructuring Project (Herstructurering Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg - GGZ), aims to provide immediate assistance to individuals experiencing mental health crises outside of regular office hours. 

Operational Hours and Purpose 

The Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ is now operational on weekdays and weekends from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, recognizing that most acute cases occur during these hours. The primary objective is to offer immediate and efficient support to individuals in psychiatric crises, including those with severe psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, or other urgent conditions requiring immediate intervention. 

Quick professional intervention is crucial to prevent or minimize emotional, physical, or mental harm and restore safety for both the affected individual and their surroundings. In some cases, it may be necessary to hospitalize a patient for 24 to 48 hours to prevent serious health risks, medical complications, or severe consequences for the person and their environment. 

Collaborative Effort 

The Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ is a joint effort between PSI-Skuchami (which coordinates the crisis service), Klinika Capriles, Brasami Addiction Clinic, and the Foundation for Addiction Management (FMA). The service operates from PSI-Skuchami’s location in Otrobanda (Van Leeuwenhoekstraat 28A) and collaborates closely with key institutions, including: 

Curaçao Police Force (KPC) 

Curaçao Ambulance Care Foundation (FKAK) 

General practitioners and the Huisartsenpost (HAP) 

Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) 

Recognized institutions such as KPC, FKAK, CMC, HAP, general practitioners, and independent psychiatrists can directly contact the Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ. In urgent situations, the public is advised to contact KPC, a general practitioner, or HAP, who will involve the crisis service if necessary. 

Addressing Previous Challenges 

Before this initiative, mental health crisis services were separately handled by PSI-Skuchami, Klinika Capriles, Brasami, and FMA, leading to lack of central coordination and operational uniformity. This often resulted in long waiting lists for patients and service providers such as KPC, FKAK, and general practitioners. In some cases, finding an appropriate crisis solution was difficult. 

With the Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ, all stakeholders now have a clear point of contact for mental health emergencies, ensuring better coordination and a faster hospitalization process when needed. The crisis service’s triage staff have been trained by specialized institutions and operate according to the GGZ triage protocol used in the Netherlands. In cases requiring further evaluation, they can consult a psychiatrist on duty at Klinika Capriles to determine the appropriate intervention. 

Ongoing Monitoring and Future Improvements 

Key institutions, including KPC, FKAK, CHV (Curaçao General Practitioners Association), HAP, CMC, and the Health Inspectorate, have received detailed information about the objectives and launch of the Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ. These organizations will remain in continuous contact to periodically evaluate and improve the service’s functionality. 

With the launch of the Centrale Crisisdienst GGZ, Curaçao has made a major advancement in mental healthcare, ensuring quicker, more effective crisis response and better coordination between healthcare and emergency services.