At the close of Mental health and psychiatry foundations, Tuesday, September 28, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, announced several measures, including the reimbursement of consultations with psychologists and the creation of 800 posts in medico-psychological centers.
“The pandemic has revealed the importance of the subject of mental health”, declared the Head of State at the close of this conference of mental health, recognizing that “For a long time the resources put in were not up to the task”.
To meet the strong demand for care, Medicare will therefore reimburse consultations with liberal psychologists from next year. “For the whole population from the age of 3”. However, this treatment will be subject to conditions: patients must be “Sent by medical prescription as part of a consultation package”, the first session being invoiced 40 euros and the following ones 30 euros each.
a ” framing [qui] seems fair “ even if “The profession is not totally thrilled”, estimated the President of the Republic at the end of these meetings presented by the Ministry of Health as a “Historic moment of the national debate”.
80 million euros “dedicated to mental health”
Eight hundred positions will be created in medico-psychological centers (CMP) “From next year” for “Reduce waiting times as much as possible”, also announced Mr. Macron. “In the territories which are the most in tension”, these waiting times are currently “Longer than eighteen months, during which obviously the health of suffering people deteriorates”, noted the Head of State. Another budgetary effort will be made in terms of research, with an envelope of 80 million euros “Dedicated to mental health” as part of the fourth investment program for the future.
Succession of round tables and conferences with actors of the sector, the Assises of mental health and psychiatry were to provide concrete answers to the psychic ailments of the French and to the distress of those who treat them. Announced by Emmanuel Macron on January 14, first scheduled for July, they were finally held on September 27 and 28, by videoconference.
Many actors, especially associations, regretted a mainly health orientation and the absence of debates by those involved in social and medico-social support. the Schizophrenia Collective – which brings together patients, families and the main associations concerned by this disease – also deplored the over-representation of psychiatrists in these meetings, while the participation of users and relatives remains limited.