Sound and reliable data on mental health are key to developing evidence-based policy making, target interventions, and provide feedback on progress made. 

International collaboration is vital for RIVM. It is a catalyst for developing state-of- the-art knowledge and innovation, and provides a crucial sounding board for scientific and strategic reflection. With this in mind, RIVM initiated a two-year programme to invest in European collaboration to further strengthen its mental health knowledge base. This initiative is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Started in the summer of 2023, these additional efforts are expected to boost and broaden the current international portfolio in the years to come.

Newsletter covering insights and scientific and European policy developments on behavioural science.This newsletter is published twice a year.Published by RIVM: Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Editorial team:  behaviour.and.health@rivm.nlParts from this publication may be used provided that a proper source citation is included.

Delivering state-of the art knowledge to underpin and support policy making is RIVM’s core business. This can be channeled through generating new evidence, but also by integrating existing knowledge that is of particular relevance to policy makers. As regards mental health, three policy areas and initiatives are of particular relevance: the national integrated action plan, options for wider upstream and integrated policies, and the mental health of workers.

Joost Damen (1977) is head of the Centre for Environmental Quality at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

The map shows the average number of virus particles in wastewater (the viral load) in the past week, by municipality, per 100,000 inhabitants, starting from 2 January 2023. This map is updated every Wednesday.Weekly update 27 May 2026

The main consequence of the COVID-19 period still perceived by young people is the delay in learning and development that they incurred. Remote learning and skipped internships led to delays, and young people are still noticing the effects of having missed out on formative events and life experiences. This is evidenced by the quarterly update from September 2023. In addition, young people felt less healthy than in June 2023. The results of this study are part of the Health Research for COVID-19 research programme. The Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network) publishes a quarterly update on this page, summarising key results from survey research and data from primary care providers. The aim is to provide information to the municipalities, the provinces and the national government of the Netherlands to assist them in formulating policies.

General practitioners noted an increase in suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among young people in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the first quarter of 2023 – and an increase of 47% compared to 2019. In the self-reported survey in June 2023, the same percentage of young people indicated that they had seriously thought about suicide. Mental health symptoms also stabilised in comparison to the previous research round. This is evidenced by the quarterly update from June 2023. The results of this study are part of the Health Research for COVID-19 research programme. The Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network) publishes a quarterly update on this page, summarising key results from survey research and data from primary care providers. The aim is to provide information to the municipalities, the provinces and the national government of the Netherlands to assist them in formulating policies.