Soliciting stakeholders' views on the organization of child and adolescent mental health services: A system in trouble

Abstract

Background: Despite a high prevalence of mental health problems among children and adolescents Belgium, like many other Western countries, does not have a clear strategy for the organization of child and adolescent mental healthcare services (CAMHS).Methods: This paper describes stakeholders' views on the organization of CAMHS based on a qualitative study. Ten in-depth interviews with high profile stakeholders were complemented by roundtable discussions (n = 30).Results: This diagnostic analysis illustrated that the system is in serious trouble characterized by fragmentation and compartmentalization.Conclusion: The findings create a sense of urgency that should be used to initiate a system reform of the Belgian CAMHS system. © 2013 Vandenbroeck et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.