"Recovery cannot be forced": CM expert Koen Lowet critical of plan to limit benefits for burnout

A federal proposal to stop sickness benefits for burnout or depression after two years is criticized for treating mental health differently than physical health. Koen Lowet from CM argues that recovery cannot be forced and emphasizes the need to address the root causes of rising mental health issues. He highlights that over 155,000 people in Belgium were long-term sick due to these conditions by the end of 2025. Lowet calls for better access to mental health care and suggests that the focus should be on prevention rather than cutting benefits. He believes that investing in mental health care is economically beneficial, yielding four euros for every euro spent.