[The exploratory meeting: Action research on the perspective of care recipients]

Mental health care (MHC) is under pressure due to increased demands and limited capacity, resulting in long waiting lists. To improve accessibility, Mental Health Centers (MCs) were established in Central and West-Brabant starting in 2021, with the exploratory meeting (EM) as the first step.

To gain insight into citizens’ experiences with the EM, the flow to appropriate care, and contribution of action research to this process.

Mixed-methods action research on experiences with and data about the EM using surveys, interviews, and analysis of electronic records.

Citizens rate the EM with an overall score of 8.2. Besides the theme ‘Approach & method’, other themes (‘Relationship’ and ‘Goals & topics’) also scored above 8.0. On average, 25% of citizens were helped outside MHC after an EM. This shifted during the implementation process (from 29% to 18%), as did the proportion progressing to specialized MHC (in MC from 16% to 18%; in Expertise Centers from 11% to 31%) and other MHC (from 3% to 12%).

This action research had provided instructive insights aimed at further developing the EM. Longitudinal follow-up research on the impact of the EM on the accessibility of MHC in more regions is needed.