From January 1, 2025all French people will have access to one free session per month with a psychologist. This announcement, supported by the government, marks a major turning point in mental health care in France.
A historic breakthrough for mental health in France
Mental health, long relegated to the background in public policies, is now at the heart of concerns. With this new measure, the government intends to democratize access to psychological carein a context where needs continue to grow. According to a recent study, nearly one in three French people have already considered consulting a psychologist, but financial barriers remain a major obstacle.
This initiative is part of a national strategy aimed at responding to pressing issues, such as the increase in post-Covid anxiety and depressive disorders, and promoting better prevention in mental health.
Details of the device: How does it work?
From January 2025, every French citizen will be able to benefit from one free session per month with an approved psychologist. Here are the main terms :
- Universal accessibility: No medical prescription will be necessary to access this service.
- Network of professionals: Only psychologists registered on a state-approved platform will be able to participate.
- Financing: The cost of each session will be covered by Health Insurance, with a dedicated budget to support this reform.
The device will be integrated into existing digital tools, allowing patients to easily find a professional nearby and book online. This system also aims to reduce consultation times, which are often considered too long.
A major impact on the mental health of the French
Free one psychologist session per month should profoundly transform the mental health landscape in France. Experts agree on potential benefits : improvement of psychological well-being, early detection of mental disorders and reduction of long-term costs for the health system.
More accessible and preventive care
This measure primarily targets people who, until now, have given up care for financial reasons. It could encourage thousands of French people to consult for the first timethus favoring a preventive rather than curative approach. By identifying disorders at an early stage, the system hopes to relieve congestion in psychiatric hospitals and reduce work stoppages linked to psychological pathologies.
The example of other inspiring countries
Similar systems already exist in certain Nordic countries, often cited as an example for their mental health policy. In Sweden, for examplefree psychological consultations have led to a significant drop in anxiety disorders among young adults.
Support praised by professionals
Psychologists themselves see this initiative as recognition of their essential role. “This is an important step in democratizing access to our services,” underlines Marion Dupuis, clinical psychologist in Paris. However, they insist on the importance of adequate monitoring and a clear regulatory framework to avoid abuses.
The challenges of such a reform: saturation and financing
Despite its laudable ambition, this system raises questions about its implementation and its potential limits.
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A risk of saturation of offices
With the massive arrival of new patients, waiting times could get longercompromising the objective of rapid access. According to the National Union of Psychologists, several thousand additional professionals would need to be recruited to meet demand.
Financing under pressure
The estimated cost of this measure is around several hundred million euros per year. If the State has provided an initial envelope, some economists fear that this financing will become unsustainable in the long term without increased participation from mutual societies or employers.
Quality of care: necessary vigilance
Professionals also warn of the risk of low-quality consultations if psychologists find themselves overwhelmed or if the selection of approved practitioners is not rigorous.
Summary in 5 points:
- From January 2025, all French people will be entitled to one free psychologist session per month.
- The objective is to democratize access to psychological care and improve prevention.
- The device will be covered by Health Insurance and accessible without a prescription.
- Saturation risks and questions about long-term financing remain.
- Experts welcome a historic measure, but call for adjustments to ensure its sustainability.
