Macron’s announcements on mental health, including reimbursement for consultations with psychologists, welcomed by caregivers and associations

At the end of two days of round tables, Emmanuel Macron closed, Tuesday, September 28, the Assises of mental health and psychiatry by announcing various measures, including the reimbursement of consultations with psychologists for all and the creation of 800 additional posts within medico-psychological centers (CMP).

Announcements awaited by this bloodless sector, undermined by the lack of attractiveness, especially for psychiatrists (30% of hospital practitioner positions are vacant in the public), and having to face a demand and growing distress of patients. Two years of health crisis will have both aggravated and brought to light an already complex situation in terms of mental health. According to the latest part of the CoviPrev survey from Public Health France, between August 31 and September 7, 15% of French people were depressed. This is five points more than during the period outside of Covid. More than ever, as the government has repeatedly reminded over the past two days, the issues of psychiatry and mental health are “Everyone’s business”.

Read the survey: After the Covid-19, the fear of a “psychiatric wave”

It is therefore with a view to reaching as many people as possible that the President of the Republic has announced the reimbursement of consultations with psychologists by Social Security, “For the entire population from the age of 3”, on prescription only. This measure, scheduled for 2022, will be organized as part of a package of 10 sessions, renewable once and including a first consultation review, supported up to 40 euros. The following ones will be capped at 30 euros. Funding will be shared with complementary health insurance, at an unknown level for the moment. If the initiative was feared by psychologists, who consider that the price is insufficient, it is fully assumed by the Head of State, who sees it “Realistic pricing”, responding to a “Social demand”, which will be voluntary for practitioners. For its implementation, the government plans to deploy 50 million euros in 2022, then 100 million per year from 2023.

Better supervision of young people

In addition, Emmanuel Macron announced that he wanted “Complete the 2018 care sheet” on psychiatry. If, between 2018 and 2021, 1.4 billion euros had been devoted to strengthening hospital care, 1.9 billion euros will be released from 2022. For better access to care, the government s he commits to the creation of 800 posts in the CMP – 400 will be devoted to infant and juvenile CMPs, 400 others to adult care. A way to shorten the waiting times to get an appointment which can reach on average eighteen months “In the territories which are the most in tension”.

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