background Despite the increasing attention for people with a (borderline) intellectual disability within the field of mental health care in The Netherlands and Flanders, access to mental health care for this vulnerable group is still limited.
aim To explore the access to mental health care in the Netherlands and Flanders for people with borderline intellectual functioning or an intellectual disability.
method A survey of scientific literature, recent reports and available practical knowledge about mental disorders in people with borderline intellectual functioning or an intellectual disability and their access to mental health care.
results Insufficient knowledge about mental disorders in long term intellectual disability care and insufficient knowledge of, and experience with borderline intellectual functioning and intellectual disability among mental health care providers play a role in the limited access to good mental health care. More exchange of knowledge and sharing of experiences is necessary to ultimately properly address the needs of this group.
conclusion Structural collaboration between mental health care and care for people with an intellectual disability is needed.