Introducing “wijk-GGD’ers,

... community health workers who work for the GGD (the regional health service).

The wijk-GGD’ers can help people suffering from mental health issues (e.g. people showing erratic behaviour) and the people in their environment find the proper care and support. They are in contact with many organisations, such as the municipality, the police, GGZ (mental health services), rehabilitation centres, housing corporations, GPs, social work organisations, neighbourhood watch, etc. They are independent, easy to contact, and are here to help the inhabitants. 

When the workers receive a message about erratic or unconventional behaviour, they will contact the person who sent the message to assess the situation. If the person showing erratic behaviour was/is being treated by a care organisation, the wijk-GGD’er will get in touch with them. They will then also talk to other involved parties (neighbours, family, friends) to find out how they can talk to the person in question. They will then visit the person in their own residence, which often provides insights into the issues they are dealing with. Depending on the needs of the person and other factors, the wijk-GGD’ers will help the person get the care that they need.

Are you worried about someone in your environment who is showing erratic behaviour?

Please get in touch with Patricia Smets and Laura van Beek, the community health workers in Gestel. You can contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The deployment of district GGDs is a pilot of the municipality of Eindhoven in collaboration with GGD Brabant-Zuidoost and the police.