An interdisciplinary theme group on how to achieve effective mental health interventions.
About the Topic
Even though psychological and pharmacological treatments are effective for most mental disorders, only half of treated patients experience a clinically meaningful reduction in symptoms or achieve full remission for these disabling conditions. The fact that a substantial proportion, does not or only partially, respond to existing treatments is highly problematic. Moreover, relapse rates are unacceptably high. Despite four decades of experimental and neuroscientific research as well as clinical intervention studies, effect sizes for treatment efficacy have not increased and novel treatment modalities are largely lacking. Six important factors that contribute to these disappointing results will be critically evaluated. A wealth of experience in the group from different perspectives will facilitate to find solutions.
The theme group will work in close collaboration with Professor E.A. Holmes, University of Cambridge and Karolinska Institute, Professor C. Harmer, University of Oxford, Professor H. Tiemeijer, Erasmus University, Professor M. van den Hout, Utrecht University and Dr. C. Vinkers Department of Psychiatry of the University Medical Center Utrecht.