Santé Psy Étudiants: the new psychological support system

The new initiative completes other actions in place to support students. Especially, the initiative improves a plan deployed by the ministry planning to recruit 80 psychologists in public higher education institutions for the year 2021.

Simplified processes to access support

To benefit from an external psychological support, a student must first consult with a doctor from the University Health Services present in all French universities. This prior consultation can take the form of a remote consultation. A student can also consult a general practitioner using her/his student card (or any other equivalent document proving she/he is a student).

The ministry of higher education stresses that it is implementing a true “care service”, since the doctor guides the student to a partner psychologist of the system to agree to a meeting.

Free sessions with a psychologist

After choosing from the list of referenced psychologists, the student can schedule three 45-minute support and guidance sessions with the therapist. If necessary, these sessions can be renewed (up to three new sessions) by the general practitioner, as part of the “care process”.

In any case, the student is not required to pay in advance, as the costs are covered by the student's university or college.

Other listening and support services

Santé Psy Étudiants is not a substitute for other psychological support services, but rather an addition to the services already in place, such as the University Psychological Support Offices (BAPU) open in certain large cities, or the helplines dedicated to students such as Nightline.

The French government’s information website has chosen to present this listening service “made by and for students” in the form of a video report. Nightline is indeed a listening service for all students which has the particularity of being “nocturnal, free and anonymous” and of working by telephone and/or by chat. During the opening hours (from 9pm to 2am), volunteers listen to students. It should be noted that “all calls are anonymous, both for the caller and the volunteer. And everything that is said during the call remains confidential”.

More information about psychological support

Here are some additional resources to help you find out more about Santé Psy Etudiants and psychological support services: 

•  The Santé Psy Étudiants system 
•  List of University Health Services 
•  List of referenced partner psychologists
•  Nightline, the free voluntary service 
•  Other support and help services