Government reveals comprehensive "mental health strategy" aimed at fortifying psychiatric services and effectively addressing various mental health issues.
A heads-up on the mental health plan for France!
The anticipation was real for the upcoming mental health initiative following an unfortunate event that shook the nation. Fourteen-year-old hell-raisers are becoming more common, and a recent tragedy in Nogent (Haute-Marne) highlights the severity of the situation. Minister of Health Yannick Neuder introduced his mental health plan on June 11 with a promise to create a solid foundation for long-term solutions.
This plan, a "starting point" for a "lasting commitment," brings about thirty measures organized into three main aspects: enhancing early detection and intervention among youth, cultivating "close, understandable, and accessible" psychiatry, and rebuilding psychiatry by reinforcing training.
For the first aspect, the French government eyeing training two "Key adults" in each secondary school and primary school district by 2026, along with developing a national model for early detection and intervention, training all school health personnel, and mobilizing health students to teach psychosocial skills. Additionally, 300,000 mental health first aiders are scheduled to be trained by 2027.
The "mental health plan" also places emphasis on "close psychiatry" by offering priority financial support to medical-psychological centers and focusing on devices for intensive follow-up and strengthening the regulation of psychiatric emergencies. In populated areas, the government plans to double the number of psychologists for the Mon Soutien Psy scheme to 12,000 by 2027.
With the third aspect, the government aims to strengthen the training of medical students through incorporating an advanced psychiatry module in each faculty and conducting practical training. The number of psychiatry interns is projected to increase from 500 to 600 per year from 2027, and a mission will work on addressing the working conditions in psychiatry before releasing an action plan in 2026.
When questioned about funding, the ministry remained tight-lipped, stating resources would be made available in the 2026 budget. While the minister acknowledged that not all improvements will be in place by September 1, he asserts that the affected individuals – approximately one in three – will receive the care they need over time.
Need help or worried about someone? Don't suffer in silence. Contact the 24/7 Suicide écoute line at 01 45 39 40 00 or refer to the Ministry of Solidarity and Health website for more resources. Your mental health matters!
While detailed information about the proposed mental health plan remains to be seen, it's crucial to tackle the rising challenges in child and adolescent psychiatry. In France, an overwhelming increase in demand and insufficient capacity has sparked discussions about the future of this field. Additionally, the rise of pseudo-therapies and medication shortages may further impact mental health services. On a broader scale, initiatives such as European Mental Health Week and the European Congress of Psychiatry aim to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health, emphasizing equitable access to care across Europe.
- The French government, within the scope of their mental health plan, is planning to cultivate a approachable and accessible psychiatry by offering financial support to medical-psychological centers and focusing on devices for intensive follow-up.
- In line with the French mental health plan, the government aims to strengthen the training of medical students through incorporating an advanced psychiatry module in each faculty and conducting practical training, with the intention of addressing the current and future needs in the field of mental health.
