Managing a service of mental health

Any mental health service (SSM/DGG) wishing to carry out activities in the Brussels-Capital Region which, because of its organisation, cannot be considered as belonging exclusively to the French Community or the Flemish Community must obtain an accreditation from the Common Community Commission (the COCOM). 

The SSM/DGG offer welcome, orientation, help and care to any person experiencing mental or psychological difficulties.

They offer every person who calls on them:

• a reception facility;
• advice or orientation;
• examination and diagnosis;
• psychosocial or psychological counselling;
• therapy;
• medicinal treatment;
• etc.

The mental health service (SSM/DGG) can also offer consultations in the field of psychomotor skills, speech therapy, occupational therapy, pedagogy, etc. Some services have a specialised team for children and adolescents who can consult them together with their families. 

The SSM/DGG organises or cooperates in prevention activities directed at the population or social workers (information, awareness raising, training and supervision in mental health care). They can develop specific projects for certain target groups, especially in the reception areas for young children.

It is forbidden to use the designation "mental health centre", "mental health service" or "guidance centre" without the proper accreditation.

Conditions

In order to be recognised by the United College, the mental health service must be established by a non-profit association or a public service, such as a municipality, a public centre for social welfare or an association referred to in Article 118 of the Organic Act dated 8 July 1976 relating to public centres for social welfare.

The conditions for accreditation are laid down in the Ordinance dated 17 July 1997 relating to the accreditation and subsidising of mental health services and in the decision of the United College dated 7 May 1998 relating to the accreditation procedures and standards, the awarding of subsidies and agreements with regard to health services.

Action to be taken

Any application for accreditation must be addressed to the members of the United College of Health, accompanied by an administrative file.

Before granting a provisional accreditation, the administration will schedule a visit in order to verify the safety and the architectural standards.

If the service can operate under conditions compatible with the required standards, the competent members of the College will grant provisional accreditation for a period of one year, which is renewable once.

During the period of provisional approval, the Administration will schedule a second visit to check the proper functioning of the service in accordance with the applicable standards.

The Advisory Board will then issue an opinion with regard to the application for accreditation within two months of its adoption.

Once this two-month period has elapsed, the requirement for an opinion will be disregarded. The competent members of the United College will then grant or refuse the approval. The accreditation will be granted for a renewable period of six years.

Cost

Free