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General introduction 151 including care professionals. In addition, people with MID may find it difficult to discuss their MID with others, or are themselves insufficiently aware of their cognitive and adaptive limitations. Failure by care professionals to take the MID into consideration in communication or support can lead to overburden and stress in patients and to the provision of inadequate care and support. Furthermore, people’s own denial of their MID, a desire to please, gullibility, and naivete increase their vulnerability and may be barriers to obtaining the appropriate support. 4Because of these limitations, challenges, and vulnerabilities, people with MID need the appropriate support and care to be able to live as fully as possible. However, many people are not known in the MID service system and may thus lack this (professional) support. Mild intellectual disabilities and mental health problemsUp to a third of adults with MID experience MH problems. This is double the general population estimates. 5 In particular, psychotic disorders, mood problems, and anxiety are highly prevalent in people with MID. 5-7 Specific genetic disorders, stressful life events, lack of adequate coping strategies, low socioeconomic status, and lack of emotional support are associated with MH problems and are more prevalent in people with MID, compared with the general population. 4, 8, 9 The high prevalence of MH problems in people with MID is worrying, given that having either an ID or an MH disorder puts a high burden on people’s lives and on that of their families, and the combination is likely to be even more burdensome. 10, 11Organization of primary mental healthcareIn the Netherlands, just like in most other countries with a primary care model, the general practitioner (GP) plays a pivotal role in primary healthcare, including MH. All Dutch inhabitants, including those with MID, are registered with a local general practice. An exception is a relative small group of people with MID who receive long-term care and support, including primary care, through ID-care facilities. 12 GPs are the first point of contact Katrien Pouls sHL.indd 15 24-06-2024 16:26