Valedictory lecture Prof. dr. Philippe A.E.G. Delespaul

"OMG! – verwondering (soms verontwaardiging) bij het innoveren in de GGZ"

The sustainability of mental health care is under pressure. Waiting lists and the failure to provide adequate care for people with misunderstood behaviour show that demand exceeds supply. This is surprising, given that in the Netherlands up to 100% more people receive professional help and, compared to neighbouring countries, we have permanent crisis services and a particularly high level of residential care. Mental suffering is complex, it is said, but we have made sustainable solutions to the emergency particularly complex.

In this farewell lecture, Philippe Delespaul analyses the gap between scientific knowledge and the reality of everyday care. The gap may be surprising in a country that prides itself on a high level of professionalism and broad implementation of quality standards. What challenges does the mental health sector face? Is finding answers to people's mental health needs the exclusive responsibility of mental health services? How can we best answer the question of what works for whom? What does ‘success’ mean? The move towards mental health ecosystems formulates answers and implements sustainable innovations.

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