Mental support for PhD candidates

Doing a PhD can be challenging, but there are many support options in the Netherlands for your mental well-being. Below is an overview of key resources and information – from registering with a doctor to accessing therapy, understanding insurance coverage, and finding

General Practitioners (GPs) and Access to Healthcare

Role of the GP:
In the Dutch healthcare system, the general practitioner (huisarts) is your first point of contact for any health issue – including mental health. It’s important to register with a local GP as soon as possible after you arrive. A GP provides primary care and can treat common problems directly. If specialized care is needed (for example, a psychologist or psychiatrist), the GP must give you a referral – without this, insurance won’t cover specialist treatment and you might face high bills. In non-emergencies, always start by seeing your GP rather than going straight to a hospital.

How to register with a GP:
You are free to choose a GP, but most practices only accept patients who live nearby. Once you have a Dutch address (and usually a health insurance), contact a GP practice in your neighborhood to ask if they are accepting new patients (you may need to fill out a form and schedule an intake appointment to discuss your medical history). Many universities and cities provide lists of local GPs:

• Use the ZorgkaartNederland atabase to find GPs by postal code (site in Dutch; it lists patient ratings for practices). You can also ask colleagues or your institution’s international office for recommendations.
• Some clinics specialize in serving internationals and students (wider catchment area). For example, the International Health Centre The Hague (IHCH) is a one-stop clinic popular with expats in The Hague (GP, dental, physio under one roof). In Eindhoven, SGE International is known for expat-focused GP care.
• Healthcare for Internationals This is a non-profit network of Dutch healthcare providers committed to meeting the needs of international patients. H4i-affiliated GP practices across the country offer English-proficient doctors who understand cultural differences and may spend extra time with you. Check the H4i website for member clinics in your region.
• Campus or student-oriented GPs: Some universities work with nearby GPs who have experience with students/PhDs. Your university’s info portal may point you to a convenient GP practice.

Tip:
Registering with a GP is mandatory for residents and ensures you can get care when needed. Make sure you have valid health insurance (more on that below) when signing up. After hours, if you urgently need a doctor and your GP is closed, you can contact the local huisartsenpost (after-hours GP service) for urgent issues that can’t wait until the next day. huisartsenpost voor urgente problemen die niet tot de volgende dag kunnen wachten.

Referral Options for Mental Health Support

Mental health support in the Netherlands is available through multiple channels. You can access university-provided services, regular healthcare services (via your GP), as well as private therapists. Often, a combination of these resources is useful. The exact route may depend on the severity of your issues and your personal preferences.

🔹 University-based support:
Many Dutch universities and UMCs offer free counseling or psychological support for students and PhD candidates. These services are typically short-term and solution-focused. For example, student or PhD psychologists can help with stress, anxiety, burnout symptoms, or personal issues in a limited number of sessions. You usually do not need a referral to see a campus-based counselor, and sessions are confidential and free of charge. They may offer one-on-one appointments, group workshops, or e-health exercises. If longer-term or specialized therapy is needed, the campus psychologist will advise you to see a GP for an external referral. Additionally, universities have confidential advisors (for work-related conflicts or harassment) and sometimes an on-campus company doctor for work stress issues – these can be points of contact if your troubles stem from your work environment. Check your university’s PhD or staff well-being page to see what’s available (e.g. dedicated PhD psychologists/counselor, student well-being initiatives, etc.). PNN’s own PhD Support Compass is a great starting point – select your institution in the online compass to see all local support contacts (from your supervisor or mentor, to faculty HR, PhD psychologist, confidential advisor, or ombudsperson). This tool lists who you can turn to at each university or research institute when you need help.

🔹 Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s):
If you are employed as a PhD (most funded PhDs are university employees), you may have access to additional counseling services through your employer. Some graduate schools have partnered with external platforms like OpenUp to give PhDs quick access to mental health professionals. For example, Erasmus MC and TU Delft allow their PhD candidates to use OpenUp – a well-being platform providing direct 1-on-1 chats with certified psychologists, with no waiting list, no referral needed, and no cost to the PhD candidates. These services are typically available 24/7 via phone, video, or chat. It’s worth checking if your university or institute offers an EAP or similar program for PhD employees.

🔹 National healthcare services (via GP referral):
Outside of the university, the regular mental health care system is accessible to all residents (including PhD candidates) through your GP. The GP acts as the gateway to mental health care. Discuss your concerns with your GP – they can treat mild issues themselves or refer you to the appropriate mental health care level. In many GP practices, there is a mental health nurse practitioner (POH-GGZ) who can provide short-term counseling right at the GP’s office for issues like stress, mild depression, or anxiety. This typically consists of a few sessions (up to 5-7) and is meant for low-threshold support. If you need more help, the GP will refer you to a psychologist or therapy practice in the community:

• Basic GGZ For moderate, common mental health problems (such as persistent depression or anxiety that isn’t improving quickly), you may be referred to a primary mental health care psychologist. Treatment in the basic GGZ usually entails short-to-medium term therapy (a few to ~12 sessions, often structured as up to 750 minutes of therapy (Dutch mental health care explained — Kühler & PartnersThese providers handle issues that are significant but not acute emergencies or highly complex. Examples include independent psychology practices or mental health centers specializing in treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Specialist GGZ If your situation is complex, severe, or requires multidisciplinary treatment (for instance, conditions like serious burnout, trauma, or clinical depression), the GP can refer you to specialized mental health care (specialistische GGZ) (Dutch mental health care explained — Kühler & PartnersSpecialist GGZ providers include large mental health institutes (GGZ institutions) or specialized clinics, where you might see a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, possibly for longer-term therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. These treatments can last several months to a year (with extensions if needed) (Dutch mental health care explained — Kühler & Partners).

To use these services, a referral letter from the GP is mandatory – otherwise, your insurance won’t cover the costs. The GP will write a referral indicating whether you should go to basic or specialist mental health care based on the assessment of your symptoms. You can then choose a qualified provider (your GP or insurer can help you find one that suits your language/cultural needs and has availability). Always ensure the psychologist/clinic is licensed (BIG-registered) for treatment to be reimbursed.

🔹 Private therapy options:
In addition to the routes above, PhD candidates might consider private mental health services. This could be due to personal preference (e.g. wanting to speak to an English-speaking therapist outside the university) or to avoid potentially long waiting times in the insured system. The Netherlands has many licensed psychologists and counselors in private practice, including those catering to the international community. The ACCESS Counselling Service Network for example, is a directory of English-speaking psychologists and social workers across the Netherlands. They can help match you with a counselor suited to your needs (two ACCESS counselors are on call each month to offer a free referral consultation). Some international clinics specialize in expat mental health, offering therapy in English and other languages – for instance, Kübler & Partners in AmsterdamIf you approach a private therapist directly, keep in mind that insurance reimbursement may only be possible if the provider is BIG-registered and you have a GP referral. Without a referral or for services not covered, you’d pay out-of-pocket. However, many PhDs do choose to pay privately for a coach or therapist for complete confidentiality or specialized coaching (note that things labeled “coaching” or “training” are not covered by basic insurance (Can I get mental health treatments reimbursed?). Costs can vary; some universities or scholarship programs have funds for training or personal development that might offset coaching costs – it’s worth exploring if applicable.

🔹 Online therapy options:
In recent years, online and digital mental health resources have expanded in the Netherlands. These can complement traditional in-person support and are especially useful for busy PhD schedules or if you prefer a more anonymous or accessible format. Simply running an internet search for “online GGZ” will provide a number of options.

🔹 Immediate help and helplines:
If you are in distress or crisis, or just need to talk to someone confidentially right now, there are national helplines available to everyone:

• 113 Suicide Prevention: This is the Dutch suicide prevention line (reachable by dialing 113 or toll-free 0800-0113). You can call or chat 24/7 anonymously if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or extreme crisis – trained counselors will support you. (For any life-threatening situation or emergency, you should call 112.) 112 bellen.)
• De Luisterlijn (Listening Line): A 24/7 helpline for anyone who needs a listening ear. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you (stress, loneliness, conflict, etc.) anonymously. Call 088-0767000 any time, or use their online chat service. Volunteers and counselors are ready to listen and help you sort things out.
• “Alles Oké?” Support Line: A helpline geared toward young adults (ages 18–24) feeling down, overwhelmed, or not ok It offers free chat (daily 14:00–22:00) and phone support at 0800-0450. While targeted at slightly younger people, they won’t turn away a PhD student in their early twenties seeking help.
• MIND Korrelatie: A well-known service in the Netherlands for mental health advice and support. You can call, email, WhatsApp or chat with a professional counselor from MIND Korrelatie for free. They give guidance on dealing with psychological issues, burnout, relationship problems, etc., and can direct you toward further help. (Their phone line is available 9:00–21:00 at 0800-0450, and chat via their website).
  (Note: the website is in Dutch, but you can request help in English — they will do their best to accommodate.)
• Other resources:
  There are also peer support communities and anonymous forums online. For example, Ease Online offers anonymous chat with trained peer volunteers (people with lived experience). If you have faced harassment or abuse, besides confidential advisors at your institution, you can contact Slachtofferhulp (Victim Support) at 0900-0101 or the Sexual Assault Center at 0800-0188 for professional help.

Bottom line:
You do not have to face mental health struggles alone. There are layers of support – locally at your university, through your GP and healthcare system, and via helplines or private counselors. Many PhD candidates start with on-campus resources or trusted colleagues, and then seek professional healthcare if needed. Don’t hesitate to use these services; mental health is taken seriously, and getting help early can prevent problems from worsening. The PNN’s own PhD Support Compass can guide you to the right contact point for your situation.

Costs and Insurance Considerations

Understanding how mental health care is paid for in the Netherlands is crucial so you know what to expect financially. Here are the key points regarding costs and insurance:

• Basic Dutch health insurance coverage:
  If you have the standard Dutch health insurance (basisverzekering), psychological care is included in your coverage, as long as you have a GP referral and see a recognized provider. Consultations with your GP are fully covered and free at the point of use (they do not even count toward your deductible). Short-term counseling by the GP’s mental health nurse (POH-GGZ) is also considered part of GP care, so it is free/no deductible as well. For specialized mental health treatment (basic or specialist GGZ), the costs are covered by insurance but will count toward your €385 annual deductible (eigen risico) in most cases. This means if you haven’t yet used up your deductible in a given year, you’ll pay bills for mental health treatment (therapy sessions, etc.) until that €385 threshold is met; after that, the insurance pays 100% of further costs. (If you already spent your deductible on other healthcare, then insurance covers from the start.) There is no separate co-pay for insured mental health care beyond the standard deductible.

• In-network vs out-of-network:
  Dutch insurers often have contracts with specific psychologists and clinics. If your policy is a natura (in-kind) policy, you get full coverage only with contracted providers. If you choose a non-contracted therapist, you might have to pay a portion of the bill (e.g. the insurer might reimburse 75-80% of the normal rate). To avoid surprise costs, it’s wise to call your insurer or check their website to find contracted mental healthcare providers. If you have a restitutie (reimbursement) policy, you generally have freer choice of provider with full or near-full reimbursement. Always ensure any provider you see is licensed (BIG-registered) in the Netherlands, otherwise insurance won’t reimburse. (All GZ-psychologen, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists in the regular system will have BIG registration.) If you do go to an unlicensed coach or therapist by choice, those costs come entirely out-of-pocket (though very rarely, people deduct such expenses on their Dutch taxes as medical expenses (consult a tax advisor if applicable).
• University counseling costs:
  Support provided by your university (student/PhD psychologists, support groups, workshops, etc.) is free for PhDs. This is covered by the university – you don’t need insurance for it. However, university psychologists only offer short-term help and cannot provide medical treatment or diagnoses (so they are not a replacement for therapy through healthcare). If you are referred to external care, then the regular insurance rules apply as described.
• Private therapy costs:
  If you opt to see a private therapist without involving insurance (or if you seek help for issues not covered by insurance, such as work-performance coaching or relationship counseling), you will be paying the provider directly. Typical rates for a psychologist in the Netherlands range from €90 to €130 per session (45-60 minutes), though some coaches might charge less. Some therapists offer sliding scale fees. These costs would be out-of-pocket, but note that many insurance plans do cover therapy when properly referred – so utilize your coverage if possible. Also, if you’re an employee, check if your employer has any budget (e.g., for professional development or well-being) that could support coaching or training; this won’t apply to medical therapy but could for things like resilience training.
• International PhDs – insurance scenarios:
  If you are an international PhD candidate, your insurance situation can vary:
• Employed PhDs:
  If you have an employment contract with the university (or other institution), you are required to take out Dutch basic health insurance, just like any resident (Healthcare insurance | Study in NL). In this case, everything above about the basic insurance applies to you. You can also receive the Dutch healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) if your income is below a certain threshold, which helps offset the monthly premium. Mental health care access and costs will be the same for you as for Dutch PhDs.
• PhD scholarship or stipend (study-purpose only):
  If you are doing your PhD on a scholarship and not officially employed (common for some international PhDs, e.g. CSC scholarship students, or those on external funding), Dutch law does not allow you to purchase the public health insurance (Healthcare insurance | Study in NL). Instead, you must ensure you have a private health insurance that covers you during your stay. Often universities recommend packages like the AON or InsureToStudy student insurance. These packages do include coverage for mental health, but usually with some limits. For example, the AON ICS Complete+ insurance covers up to €3000/year in mental health treatment costs (Health and liability insurance – Leiden UniversityPrivate international insurance might require you to pay upfront and then claim reimbursement. It’s crucial to read your policy or ask the insurer: check what mental health services are included, the maximum coverage, and any approval needed (some plans may require a referral letter or pre-authorization even if you aren’t in the Dutch system). If you’re an EU citizen, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country to get medically necessary care in the Netherlands. An EHIC essentially lets you access Dutch public healthcare as if you had basic insurance, which should cover mental health treatment deemed medically necessary. However, EHIC might not cover preventive or longer-term counseling unless it’s urgent, and you’d still need a GP referral into the system. It’s a good idea for EU PhDs to also have a travel or student insurance if possible, to cover any gaps.
• Switching insurance when status changes:
  If you start as a scholarship student but later get an appointment (or take on a part-time job), you must switch to Dutch basic insurance. Likewise, if your employment ends and you remain in NL as a student, you’d have to switch from Dutch insurance to a private plan. Keep an eye on your residency status and ensure you’re always correctly insured – it’s your responsibility, and there can be fines for lapses. The SVB (social insurance bank) can assess if you are required to hold Dutch insurance in complex cases.
• Reimbursements and out-of-pocket:
  Bottom line – for most PhD candidates with Dutch insurance, mental health care will be mostly or fully reimbursed, aside from the deductible. You might pay some bills initially (e.g. the psychologist might invoice you for sessions, which you then claim from insurance or which the insurer pays directly). Always communicate with your insurer if in doubt. If you have to pay a portion, ask for receipts. For private insured PhDs, keep documentation of any treatment – you’ll need to file a claim with your insurer back home or your private plan. Don’t forget that missed appointments or late cancellations may be charged a fee (often not reimbursable), so if you cannot attend a session, cancel in advance (usually 24-hour notice) to avoid charges.

＊＊＊

Last updated: Feb. 8, 2025. We will keep this page updated as new resources and initiatives become available. If you find a broken link or know of a mental health resource that would benefit PhD candidates, please let us know at PNN so we can include it.

‍