On June 20, the first national day of mental health and thermalism was held in Paris. On this occasion, health professionals, surrounded by an audience, met at the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital to reflect on the theme of “Thermalism: an opportunity in mental health?”. Insights from two of the co-founders working within the French Society of Thermal Medicine: Olivier Dubois, psychiatrist and thermal physician at the Saujon establishment and Gisèle Kanny, professor of internal medicine and researcher in thermal medicine at the Nancy University Hospital.
Open to the public with free registration, this day was punctuated by conferences, round tables and workshops. The interministerial coordinator for thermalism, the President of the French Society of Thermal Medicine, professors in thermal medicine, psychiatry, neurology, health law but also thermal doctors and occupational physicians spoke.
Bringing together specialists to design tomorrow’s care
Anxiety, depression, burnout, phobias… according to data from the World Health Organization from June 2022, one in seven people are affected by a mental health disorder. At the same time, therapeutic care with medication is showing its limits: 30% to 40% of patients show resistance to treatment. While psychotherapy and hospitalizations can relieve mental suffering, more and more patients want to put their brains on pause.
For Olivier Dubois: “The management of mental health in thermal medicine is very little known despite the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the treatment. Today, there is a place to be taken in the patient’s care pathway around thermal medicine. The idea is to reverse the questioning and ask whether mental health should not take more hold of thermal medicine to take care of its exhausted patients.”
According to Gisèle Kanny: « The idea of this day was to take stock of the state of research with cross-cutting perspectives. Everyone interested in the issue might participate and during the followingnoon workshops, those registered were able to share and present their point of view.
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Questions raised during the day
How can thermalism constitute a therapeutic alternative? It is to answer this big question that the speakers shared their points of view on several questions such as: “What does our society say regarding the surge in figures related to mental health?”, “What is the place of thermal medicine in mental health?” and “Thermal medicine: what levels of proof?”.
“For the levels of proof, we presented the work on the impact of therapeutic letting go on the effectiveness of a spa treatment and the results of the clinical trials of the study STOP TAG. Prof. Nemat Jaafari also presented the results of a study showing how thermal spa treatment influences certain brain activities. We highlighted the evidence of the clinical effect, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and medical imaging data. It was a comprehensive presentation. explains Gisèle Kanny.
Modernizing the approach to thermal medicine
Another issue raised during this day dedicated to thermalism and mental health concerned the modernization of the thermal solution for certain disorders belonging to the psychosomatic affections orientation. Over the last fifteen years, the effectiveness of a conventional thermal cure, combining hydrotherapy, psychoeducational approach and medical and psychological expertise, has been proven. And in particular for patients suffering from mental exhaustion and anxiety.
“The modernization of the thermal approach involves the care of pre-burnout patients during a two-week thermal cure. But also through more proactive care by developing workshops on returning to work and by establishing cooperation with companies. Consideration should be given to ways of providing additional support to patients with reversible mental illnesses.. These are people who have normal lives and who weaken at a given moment because they have worries at work and/or in their personal life.” Olivier Dubois explains.
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Towards a two-week spa treatment?
In the case of reactive depressive disorders, anxiety, burnout, sleep disorders, withdrawal from anxiolytic drugs, psychosomatic physical pain, social phobia, disorders linked to prolonged stress, the medical community agrees on the need to develop two-week spa treatment, a period more conducive to meeting the needs of active people.
“The main obstacle to implementing a two-week treatment today is convincing the public authorities. Our work will not end on this day of June 20th. We will continue to work with academics, conduct studies to measure the effectiveness of such a cure, coordinate actions and submit a report to the Ministry of Health.” Olivier Dubois emphasizes.
We will not fail to share with you all of these actions aimed at rethinking the place of thermal medicine in mental health.
Sources :
- Exclusive interview with Olivier Dubois, June 7, 2024
- Exclusive interview with Gisèle Kanny, June 14, 2024
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**The First National Day of Mental Health and Thermalism: A Step Towards Integrating Thermalism in Mental Health Care**
On June 20, 2024, Paris hosted the inaugural National Day of Mental Health and Thermalism. This significant event brought together health professionals, researchers, and the public to explore the potential of thermalism as a complementary therapeutic approach for mental health disorders.
Held at the esteemed Pitié Salpêtrière hospital, the day featured a series of conferences, roundtables, and workshops. Leaders in thermal medicine, psychiatry, neurology, health law, and other related fields engaged in thought-provoking discussions, aiming to pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding and integration of thermalism in mental health care.
**A Growing Need for Alternative Therapies: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis**
The alarming rise in mental health disorders, with one in seven people globally affected, highlights the urgent need for effective and accessible therapeutic interventions. While traditional approaches like medication and psychotherapy play crucial roles, limitations remain. Resistance to treatment and a growing desire for alternative pathways prompt the exploration of complementary therapies like thermalism.
As Olivier Dubois, psychiatrist and thermal physician at the Saujon establishment, aptly describes: “The management of mental health in thermal medicine is often overlooked despite the wealth of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. It’s time to recognize the potential of thermal medicine as a crucial part of the patient’s care pathway.”
Gisèle Kanny, professor of internal medicine and researcher in thermal medicine at the Nancy University Hospital, emphasizes the significance of the day: “The purpose of this national day was to assess the current state of research and foster a cross-disciplinary dialogue. We wanted to create an inclusive platform for everyone interested in exploring the potential of thermalism for mental health.”
**Exploring the Benefits of Thermalism: A Holistic Approach**
The discussions at the National Day of Mental Health and Thermalism focused on several key questions:
- How can thermalism provide a therapeutic alternative for mental health disorders?
- What insights can be gained from societal perspectives on mental health?
- Where does thermal medicine fit within the broader mental health care framework?
- What level of scientific evidence supports the efficacy of thermalism for mental health conditions?
In addressing these questions, the speakers presented compelling evidence showcasing the potential of thermalism as a therapeutic tool. The STOP TAG study, for instance, provided insights into the impact of therapeutic letting go on the effectiveness of spa treatment. Additionally, research presented by Prof. Nemat Jaafari demonstrated the influence of thermal spa treatment on certain brain activities, further solidifying the scientific basis for its application in mental health.
**Modernizing Thermalism: Addressing the Needs of Contemporary Society**
The National Day of Mental Health and Thermalism also shed light on the need to adapt thermalism to the demands of modern society. Recognizing the growing prevalence of mental exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout, participants explored ways to integrate thermal approaches into preventative care and support for those at risk.
“Modernizing thermalism involves proactively treating pre-burnout individuals through tailored two-week thermal cures,” explains Olivier Dubois. “We must also develop comprehensive support systems, including workshops focused on returning to work and fostering collaborative partnerships with companies.”
This modernization includes extending thermal therapy to individuals with reversible mental illnesses, a segment of the population often overlooked by traditional care systems. These are individuals who lead seemingly normal lives but struggle with anxiety, stress, and other mental challenges stemming from work or personal life pressures. Thermalism can provide a much-needed sanctuary for these individuals to address their mental well-being before it escalates into more severe conditions.
**Towards a Two-Week Thermal Treatment: Addressing the Issue of Accessibility**
The consensus among mental health professionals attending the National Day of Mental Health and Thermalism pointed towards the need for a two-week thermal treatment model, a duration that aligns with the treatment needs of individuals facing mental health challenges and allows for a deeper immersion in the therapeutic benefits of thermalism.
However, implementing such a model requires addressing the current limitations imposed by healthcare systems and convincing authorities of its efficacy and cost-effectiveness. “This is a collaborative effort that requires ongoing research, data collection, and advocacy,” emphasizes Olivier Dubois. “Our work continues beyond June 20th. We remain dedicated to working alongside academics, conducting thorough studies, coordinating efforts, and presenting a compelling case to the Ministry of Health.”
By embracing a multi-pronged approach that combines scientific evidence, patient-centered care, and effective communication with policymakers, the mental health community can pave the way for greater integration of thermalism into the mental health care landscape. This will empower individuals to access a holistic therapeutic approach that addresses their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, enabling them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Sources :
- Exclusive interview with Olivier Dubois, June 7, 2024
- Exclusive interview with Gisèle Kanny, June 14, 2024
