Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Study Highlights Regional Trends as mental health organizations from six Dutch Caribbean islands gathered in Bonaire to strengthen regional cooperation and review the latest findings from the 2025 Regional Mental Health Study.
Members of the Dutch Caribbean Mental Health (DCMH) federation met in Bonaire from June 8 to June 11, 2026, to exchange knowledge, discuss collaborative initiatives, and evaluate preliminary results from the second Regional Mental Health Study covering the Dutch Caribbean.
The federation includes Respaldo Aruba, GGz Curaçao, Verslavingskliniek Brasami, PSI Skuchami, the Mental Health Foundation Sint Maarten, and Mental Health Caribbean (MHC) serving Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Regional Collaboration Strengthens Mental Health Care
The Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Study Highlights Regional Trends meeting included visits to several Mental Health Caribbean departments and discussions on improving cooperation among mental health providers throughout the region.
Participants also reviewed the preliminary findings of the 2025 Regional Mental Health Study, which provides a statistical overview of mental health service users and the most common psychological conditions affecting residents across the six islands.
In addition, members received the GGz Carib research report prepared by the Curaçao Biomedical and Health Research Institute (CBHRI), offering valuable insight into mental healthcare services in Curaçao and Bonaire.
Findings From Nearly 11,000 Patients
Researchers collected information from approximately 10,930 mental health clients across the six islands, creating one of the most comprehensive regional overviews of mental healthcare in the Dutch Caribbean.
The Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Study Highlights Regional Trends found that psychotic disorders were the most frequently treated mental health conditions. These disorders may include symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions that affect a person’s perception of reality.
The study also identified neurodevelopmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders, as among the most common diagnoses, followed by psychosocial issues such as financial stress, family conflict, and social pressures.
Data Supports Better Regional Care
According to DCMH, the study will help participating organizations improve cooperation, share knowledge, and better adapt mental health services to the specific needs of patients throughout the region.
During the Caribbean Netherlands Healthcare Conference organized by Zorg en Jeugd Caribisch Nederland (ZJCN), representatives presented the federation’s progress and emphasized that regional collaboration is essential for delivering high-quality mental healthcare.
The Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Study Highlights Regional Trends initiative also included workshops on collecting and managing regional health data, identifying opportunities to improve data quality and strengthen long-term monitoring.
By combining research, professional expertise, and regional cooperation, DCMH aims to make mental healthcare across the Dutch Caribbean more accessible, better coordinated, and prepared to meet future healthcare challenges.
