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Primary mental healthcare: patients’ perspectives1095IntroductionPeople with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) are at high risk for mental health (MH) problems, 1 but often do not receive appropriate MH care. 2-5 As a result, people with MID may develop MH problems of a more severe or chronic nature, putting a high burden on people’s lives. 6MID is characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive skills, with onset during childhood. 7, 8 Despite no intelligence quotient (IQ) range being included in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) definition of MID, 8 the 50–70 IQ range is often adhered to internationally, representing a significant limitation in intellectual functioning. However, in some countries, including the Netherlands, a broader definition of MID is used. This broader definition includes an IQ range from 50 to 85, with such limitations in adaptive skills that support is needed to function adequately in daily life. 9 For this article, we used this broad MID definition.In countries with a primary care model, such as the UK and the Netherlands, general practitioners (GPs) are the first point of encounter for people with MH problems and have an important role in detection, treatment, and follow-up. Primary MH care is seen as a key element of integrative MH care, which involves task-sharing with MH services and other care providers. 10In the Netherlands, it is estimated that approximately 6.4% of the Dutch population have MID according to the broad MID definition, 11 of whom up to a third experience MH problems. 1 Most people in this MID group live in the community and receive primary (MH) care from local GPs, mostly supported by a mental health nurse practitioner (MHNP). Previous research shows that GP practices often do not recognise the presence of MID in patients. 12 Although GPs acknowledge their role in MH care in general, they do not always feel equipped to provide this care, 13, 14 feeling even less competent providing care to people with a combination of MID and MH problems. 5, 15, 16In the Netherland, people with both MID and MH problems have a high use of primary care services; they receive more consultations and are prescribed Katrien Pouls sHL.indd 109 24-06-2024 16:26