GGZ Carib – Practice-Based Research in Mental Health Care: The Caribbean Case Strengthening Appropriate Primary Mental Health Care in Bonaire and Curaçao
GGZ-Carib is a practice-based research initiative that explores, together with stakeholders, clients, and their families, how primary mental health care in Bonaire and Curaçao can be better positioned and strengthened to provide more appropriate care. Bonaire and Curaçao are small islands with distinct cultural characteristics. Due to their limited scale, it is not always easy to offer appropriate mental health care for all clients. In addition, Bonaire depends on Curaçao for clinical mental health admissions.
Objectives of the GGZ-Carib Project
The GGZ-Carib project aimed to strengthen appropiate primary mental health care in Bonaire and Curaçao by:
- Identifying the needs in primary mental health care on both islands
- Mapping the current landscape of basic and specialized mental health services
- Assessing alignment for improvement within the system
- Establishing consensus among stakeholders, clients, and families on the necessary changes and shared priorities
This project was funded by
ZonMw projectnumber:
06360332210002
- Looptijd: 2023 – 2025 100%
Partners
Mental Health on Bonaire and Curaçao: Key Findings at a Glance
Demand for mental health services is rising on both islands — driven by demographic changes, social challenges, and decreasing stigma. While both systems show clear needs for strengthening care, they require different approaches.
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Bonaire: Integrated but vulnerable care system, effective early support through general practice, and growing client numbers (from 250 in 2018 to 1,021 in 2023 — ~5% of the population). Strengthening prevention and formal collaboration with social services is key.
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Curaçao: Fragmented system, high outpatient volume but limited low-threshold care. Data highlights potential mismatches in care intensity and the need for central triage, improved coordination, and culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented practices.
Curaçao and Bonaire’s mental health care systems operate within a stepped care model, ranging from prevention to specialized treatment.
The GGZ-Carib Final Report highlights key differences between the islands, identifies system-wide challenges, and offers concrete recommendations to improve accessibility, continuity, and coordination of care.
Download the full GGZ-Carib report with island-specific recommendations and implementation plans.
Understanding the Mental Health Landscape in Curaçao and Bonaire
Mental health care on both islands is structured in tiers of increasing intensity, illustrated here as an inverted pyramid.
Each tier represents a level of care, from informal support and prevention to specialized, long-term services. Bonaire offers a more centralized approach, while Curaçao’s system is more fragmented, with limited coordination between providers.
The Team
Tineke Alberts, PhD
Project Lead and Principal Author
Merel Griffith-Lendering, PhD
Senior Researcher
Elly Hellings, MSc
Senior Researcher
Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth
Senior Researcher
How GGZ-Carib aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals
This project supports several Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening accessible, community-based mental health systems in Curaçao and Bonaire.
With its emphasis on prevention, inclusion, and regional collaboration, the GGZ-Carib approach offers scalable insights for other small island contexts.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
This project contributes to Target 3.4 and 3.8 by making mental health care more accessible, community-based, and prevention-focused.
On Curaçao and Bonaire, GGZ-Carib strengthens early intervention, expands local support structures, and lays the groundwork for more inclusive and sustainable mental health systems.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
Aligned with Target 4.7, GGZ-Carib supports early identification of mental health issues through collaboration with public health and education systems.
By integrating mental health awareness and early detection into schools and community health, the project builds local capacity for sustainable, inclusive well-being.
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SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
GGZ-Carib contributes to Target 10.2 by improving access to care for underserved populations and reducing structural barriers to mental health services.
Through culturally sensitive approaches and system-level coordination, the project promotes equity and inclusion in small island health systems.
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Aligned with Target 16.6, GGZ-Carib contributes to the development of more effective and transparent mental health systems.
By clarifying roles, improving data monitoring, and strengthening institutional coordination, the project lays the foundation for more accountable and resilient service structures.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
The project embodies Target 17.17 by fostering cross-sector collaboration between mental health institutions, researchers, policymakers, and communities.
GGZ-Carib is a model for effective, regionally driven partnerships that can be adapted and scaled across similar island or underserved contexts.
Collaborate with CBHRI on Mental Health Innovation
CBHRI welcomes collaboration with partners interested in strengthening community-based mental health systems in small island settings.
We are open to joint research, knowledge exchange, and regional implementation inspired by the GGZ-Carib model.
For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, please contact:
Eurydice Martina
Project Manager CBHRI
Email: e.martina@cbhri.com