Federation Dutch Caribbean Mental Health presents Regional Mental Health Care Overview Caribbean Region 2024
30 October 2025
Federation Dutch Caribbean Mental Health presents Regional Mental Health Care Overview Caribbean Region 2024
Kralendijk / Oranjestad / Willemstad / Philipsburg / –
The Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Federation (DCMH) has presented the first Regional Mental Health Care Overview Caribbean Region 2024. Through this press release, we would like to share the report with the results of this study. This report provides the first joint overview of mental health care in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The analysis shows that cooperation in data collection is feasible and provides valuable insights for policy and practice. Despite differences in registration and coverage, a solid foundation has been laid for structural monitoring of mental health care on the islands.
Key findings:
- In 2024, nearly 8,400 clients were treated by five participating institutions spread across five islands.
- Women make up 56% of clients.
- 30% are younger than 25 and 30% are older than 55.
- The most common diagnoses are psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), followed by depressive disorders, neurobiological developmental disorders, and trauma- and stress-related disorders.
The results underscore the importance of further collaboration, improving data quality, and policies that respond to the specific needs of the Caribbean population.
The participating institutions
Five mental health institutions contributed to the regional overview:
- Fundacion Salud Mental Aruba Respaldo (Aruba)
- Stichting Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg Curaçao (GGZ Curaçao)
- Stichting Opvangtehuis Brasami (Brasami Addiction Clinic)
- Fundashon Perspektiva i Sosten Integral (PSI) – Skuchami – (Ambulatory Mental Health Care)
- Mental Health Caribbean (MHC)
The report represents an important step toward a sustainable system for data collection and policy development within mental health care in the Caribbean. It promotes cooperation between institutions, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to work together toward a healthier and more resilient Caribbean Kingdom.
Click on this link to read the full report.
