A Flevoland hotline for confused people is an example for the whole of the Netherlands. Thanks to the Public Mental Healthcare (OGGz) hotline, it has become for the police to bring confused persons under the care of care. There is a pilot here in the Central Netherlands police region. The method will then be rolled out across the country.

Flevoland was recently startled by two incidents involving confused people. In Zeewolde and Emmeloord, band members left their homes with serious threats and a hostage situation by confused people. A special police unit must come to bring the situation under control.

To get a picture of OGGz as quickly as possible among people as quickly as possible and to offer it in a stadium where possible. But, says care coordinator Mathilde Magré: “We cannot prevent everything.” OGGz was made known with the persons involved in connection with the privacy of Zeewolde and Emmel.

Non-acute cases
If there is a threat to the environment from the person himself, a crisis team is created. But all other, non-acute cases are assessed by OGGz. We then look at which approach is needed to enable the right care. If someone is already receiving care, this care provider will be informed of the report.

Anyone can report to the hotline† Citizens, neighbors or family can call or register via the website. The police also report people who are confused at OGGz. The collaboration has improved in recent years. According to Kim Franx, policy officer at OGGz, the report form has been made: “We have made a short and concise form for the police. We can request and email it. This gives us more reports and therefore also more and more insight into the confused people.”

Reporting even easier
In the pilot, the method with the form will be rolled out for the whole of the Central Netherlands. And reporting still has to be done in the future. Computer systems are funded. The police will soon be able to send a form at the touch of a button. The fact that this is not yet the case is that the security systems of the police have to meet strict requirements.

The number of reports of confused persons has been increasing for years. This not only causes its occurrence, but also causes long waiting lists for proper care and when it is aimed to help as much as possible in the living environment.

Care avoiders in residential areas
As a result, according to care coordinator Magré, more people with psychiatric problems live in neighbourhoods. And not all of these people want to be helped. “Some people are good at avoiding care. They keep the door and the curtains closed. Then it’s up to us to get in touch. Sometimes we talk through the letterbox and send for weeks, so that the door is ajar,” says Magré.

According to her, it is generally possible with patience, but it is often a long-term process that can take months.