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Primary mental healthcare: patients’ perspectives119If the GP deems it necessary, the network is allowed to be actively involved, as long as the patient can still make his/her own decisions, potentially with support from the network if the patient desires that. Participants argued that this may only be overruled if their mental state demands that. I was really in a bad state so I had to. They had to take action. The GP said ‘Now we’re going to do this’. … My parents were involved in everything. ... Now that I feel better and can myself explain whether or not I’m okay, my parents no longer go with me to the GP’s. (P3)Box 5.1. The perspective of patients with a mild intellectual disability (MID) on primary mental health (MH) care; four themes1Theme 1: Cumulative vulnerability Vulnerability instigated by patients’ MID and reinforced by MH problems. Barriers and problems experienced:y Patients themselves recognising and assessing MH problemsy GPs’ accessibility for MH problemsy Information transfer between GP and patients affected by lower cognitive skills and emotionsy Translation of GP’s advices to daily lifey Limited support from a formal and an informal network y Concerns about being stigmatised or misunderstood by the GPy Negative past experiences in care and supportBecause of this vulnerability, patients have additional needs and expectations regarding the GP, the network, and self-determination regarding their MH trajectory:Theme 2: Needs regarding the GP y Tailoring communication to the MIDy Securing the GP is easily accessible for MH problemsy Supporting the implementation of given advices, both medical and non-medicaly Overseeing and coordinating all care related to the participant, both medical and nonmedicaly Investing in a good patient–GP relationship y Having knowledge about the patient and his/her contexty Showing initiative to involve the formal and informal network when neededy Proactively asking questions about possible MH problemsTheme 3: Needs regarding the network y Signalising MH problems y Encouraging the patient to visit the GP when deemed necessary y Support with information transfer, organisational tasks, and translation of GP’s advices to daily lifey Providing emotional support5Katrien Pouls sHL.indd 119 24-06-2024 16:26