WILLEMSTAD - Mental health care in Curaçao is in a financial crisis. This is based on statements from the Mental Healthcare Foundation (GGz).

The corona crisis has increased the demand for psychiatric help, while waiting lists for treatments are only increasing. Mental health care as well as Brasami and PSI-Skuchami are facing financial problems.

Many psychiatric patients and addicts are currently not receiving the care they need. Children and young people, in particular, are the victims of the poor financial situation. To turn this crisis around, reforms of the healthcare and the tariff system are needed, according to the GGz, which sounded the alarm in a press statement.

According to the organization, a stop on care is not justified. “Part of mental health care is acute. In addition, most patients are dependent on care. Stopping the treatment would have disastrous consequences.”