The Joint Community Commission (COCOM) is launching a campaign "focused on 'de-stigmatising' mental health problems," it announced in a press release on Monday.
The institution is encouraging those concerned to seek help and talk.
A survey carried out by the Sciensano Public Health Institute in June 2023 shows that, among Brussels residents, "12.9% present symptoms of anxiety and 12.6% signs of depression". Yet, COCOM says that a significant proportion of people in need of mental health care do not receive it.
"By launching an awareness-raising campaign in partnership with PsyBru, an initiative that makes it easy for citizens to find a contracted psychologist in their commune, COCOM wants to encourage the people of Brussels to express themselves, to dare to share their unhappiness," explained Nathalie Noël, senior civil servant in COCOM's administration.
"It is also important to raise awareness among those around people who are suffering. They are the first to spot a problem. And early intervention can make all the difference."
COCOM says that this awareness-raising campaign is part of the front-line psychological care agreement supported by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, SPF Santé publique and Inami.
