The health crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young people, and in particular the mental health of students. As of March 2021, the government had set up the Student Psy Health system, a system which has been renewed and even expanded for the year 2023. Explanations.
Students, a worrying mental health
Young people and in particular students have suffered psychologically from the Covid-19 epidemic and the associated confinements and restrictions. Very quickly, the professionals alerted the public health authorities to the impact of the health situation on the mental health of the French people and in particular young people. All the indicators, number of office consultations for anxiety or depressive disorders, number of emergency room consultations, attempts to take action, have shown that the psychological health of young people was marked by the health crisis.
In this context, as of March 2021, the government had put in place a specific device intended for young people, the device Health Psy Student. This free psychological support program was aimed at all students in France, including those who already had psychological support before the scheme. At the end of 2022, given the still precarious situation of the mental health of young people, the government decided to extend the system for the year 2023.
Up to 8 free sessions with a psychologist
The use of this device takes place in three stages:
- An orientation consultation with a general practitioner or a university health service. At the end of the consultation, the doctor gives the student a letter of orientation.
- The choice of psychologist from a list of partner psychologists of the system.
- Psychological follow-up in itself, the device including up to 8 free sessions with the psychologist of your choice (without advance payment).
In 2021 and 2022, only 6 sessions were covered, compared to 8 now. Extended in 2023, this system is eventually to be integrated into the general health insurance system dedicated to mental health: My Psy Journey. Another novelty of the device, it is no longer necessary to renew the orientation letter following the first three sessions. The psychological follow-up can continue in agreement with the psychologist, without seeing the general practitioner once more.
Nearly 40,000 students benefited from the Student Psy Health system
Thanks to this system, all French students can have free access to psychological follow-up (apart from the cost of the initial medical consultation, which benefits from the usual conditions of reimbursement by Social Security). This device comes in addition to other psychological support devices already in place in France, such as:
- University psychological help offices (BAPU);
- Help lines dedicated to students, such as Nightline, Apsytude or Apaso.
Since March 2021, the Santé Psy Etudiant system has enabled almost 40,000 students to be accompanied and followed up, during nearly 185,000 consultations with one of the 1,178 partner psychologists of the system.
Published on January 8, 2021 by Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy. Updated by Estelle B, Doctor of Pharmacy, on January 16, 2023.
Sources
