mental health support in france

Accessing mental healthcare in France involves various services, funding mechanisms, and pathways, with ongoing reforms aiming to improve accessibility. While the country is noted for its strong physical healthcare, mental health services can be more complex to navigate, especially for foreigners. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of mental healthcare in France, from available services to costs and recent reforms.

1. Types of Mental Healthcare Services Available

Medical Psychological Centres (CMPs)

Medical Psychological Centres are outpatient clinics connected to public hospitals that serve as the main option for moderate to severe mental health support. These centers offer comprehensive services from a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists. The services are provided free of charge through the state health insurance system, making them accessible to anyone with coverage under the French healthcare system.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists in France are medical doctors who specialize in mental health and have the authority to prescribe medication. Their consultations can be fully or partially reimbursed by the state health insurance system, with the highest level of reimbursement available when seeing ‘Conventionne secteur 1’ psychiatrists who charge standard rates set by the government. This makes psychiatric care more affordable and accessible to patients who need medical intervention for their mental health conditions.

Psychologists

In France, psychologists are mental health professionals who cannot prescribe medication, as they are not considered medical doctors. Their services are generally not reimbursed by the state health insurance unless accessed through specific government schemes like the “Mon Soutien Psy” program. This distinction is important for patients to understand when choosing between different types of mental health support based on their needs and budget considerations.

Therapists/Counsellors

“Therapy” is not a regulated profession in France, which means that anyone can call themselves a therapist without specific qualifications or oversight. It’s advisable to thoroughly research a therapist’s qualifications or seek personal recommendations before beginning treatment. Counselling provides non-clinical talk therapy and can be beneficial for those seeking emotional support and coping strategies for various life challenges.

Bureaux d’Aide Psychologique Universitaires (BAPU)

These specialized counselling centers are specifically designed to support international students studying in France. BAPU centers offer consultations with qualified psychotherapists and social workers who understand the unique challenges faced by students living abroad. The services are tailored to address academic stress, cultural adjustment, language barriers, and other student-specific mental health concerns.

2. Accessing Mental Health Services

General Practitioner (GP) as a First Step

Consulting your Medecin Traitant (designated GP) is often the best starting point for accessing mental health services in France. Your GP can provide initial guidance, assessment, and referrals to appropriate specialists. For state reimbursement of psychological consultations and psychiatric treatments, a GP’s recommendation or referral letter was typically required, though recent reforms have introduced some exceptions to this requirement.

Direct Access for “Mon Soutien Psy”

Since early 2025, significant changes have been made to improve access to mental health support. It’s now possible to book appointments directly with participating psychologists through the official “Mon Soutien Psy” platform without needing a referral from a GP. This program allows individuals aged 3 and up to access fully or partially reimbursed psychological support sessions, streamlining the process and reducing barriers to care.

Direct Contact with CMPs

You can contact a Medical Psychological Centre directly to access their services, although having a GP referral can help guide and coordinate your care more effectively. However, it’s important to be aware that demand for CMP services is high, and staffing shortages across the public mental health system can lead to significant waiting times for appointments.

Private Practitioners

Seeing a private psychiatrist or psychologist offers more flexibility in scheduling and potentially shorter waiting times. Partial reimbursement may be available if the practitioner follows standard public fee rates or is enrolled in a government support scheme. Otherwise, private health insurance or out-of-pocket payment will be necessary to cover the full cost of treatment.

Doctolib

This popular online platform can be used to find and book appointments with mental health professionals across France. Doctolib offers useful filtering options, including the ability to search for English-speaking practitioners and book video consultations, making it particularly valuable for expatriates and those who prefer remote sessions.

Local Mairie (Town Hall)

Your local Mairie serves as an important resource for information about nearby mental health services and counsellors in your area. The staff can provide guidance on available options and may have knowledge of local support groups or community mental health initiatives that could be beneficial.

Emergencies

For urgent mental health care and emergencies, you can go directly to the Urgences (emergency department) at your nearest hospital. Emergency departments are equipped to handle mental health crises and can provide immediate assessment, stabilization, and referrals to appropriate follow-up care when needed.

3. Costs and Reimbursement

State Coverage (Carte Vitale / Sécurité Sociale)

If you have a Carte Vitale or are enrolled in Sécurité Sociale (SECU), you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement for psychological consultations and psychiatric treatments. The state covers a percentage of costs, with the highest level of reimbursement available when seeing ‘Conventionne secteur 1’ doctors who adhere to government-set fee schedules.

“Mon Soutien Psy” Program

This government program allows up to 12 state-covered psychological support sessions per year with an approved psychologist, available for individuals aged 3 and up. Each session is typically priced at €50, with the state (Assurance Maladie) covering 60% of the cost and supplementary insurance (mutuelle) typically covering the remaining 40%. The first session serves as an assessment and counts towards the total of 12 annual sessions.

Supplementary Health Insurance (Mutuelle)

Having a mutuelle (supplementary health insurance) is highly recommended as it typically covers the remaining costs not paid by the state insurance system. Mutuelles may also provide coverage for additional mental health services beyond the 12 “Mon Soutien Psy” sessions, depending on your specific policy. Private health insurance is particularly beneficial for chronic mental health conditions and can cover services like consultations with psychologists not participating in government schemes.

BAPU for Students

Consultations at Bureaux d’Aide Psychologique Universitaires are completely covered by SECU and health insurance funds for students. There are no upfront costs required and no limit on the number of sessions, making these services extremely accessible for students who may be facing financial constraints while pursuing their education.

Typical Costs

A standard consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist typically costs around €50. The state may reimburse up to €40 depending on the specific ‘package’ of services and recommendations provided. Understanding these costs helps patients budget for their mental health care and make informed decisions about their treatment options.

4. Finding English-Speaking Support

Finding English-speaking mental health practitioners can be challenging in France, but options are increasing, particularly in larger cities. Doctolib allows users to filter search results for English-speaking psychiatrists, making it easier to find appropriate care. The Paris Psychology Centre provides online therapy sessions with qualified native English-speaking clinical psychologists serving clients throughout France.

The Counselling in France website offers a comprehensive directory of English-speaking counselors, many of whom have specific experience working with expatriates and understand the unique challenges of living abroad. Some therapists listed in the SECU directory may offer sessions in languages other than French, though this information may require direct inquiry.

Another viable option is seeking therapists in your home country who offer online or phone consultations, which can provide continuity of care and cultural understanding while you’re living in France.

5. Specific Mental Health Services

Children and Young People

For children and adolescents, the school nurse often serves as an important first point of contact and can provide referrals to CMPs for child psychiatrists (pédopsychiatre). Centre Médico-Psycho-Pédagogiques (CMPPs) offer free specialized support for children with learning challenges and developmental issues, though waiting times can be lengthy due to high demand.

Addiction

France has developed a structured and comprehensive system for treating addiction through Centres de Soin, d’Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPAs). These public centers provide free, confidential medical, psychological, and social support for various types of addictions, and services are available regardless of insurance status, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent access to addiction treatment.

Eating Disorders

While specialist centers for eating disorders exist within the public healthcare sector and can be accessed through GP referral, finding services conducted in English often requires engaging with the private healthcare sector. This may involve higher costs but can provide more specialized care in the patient’s preferred language.

Severe and Long-Term Symptoms/Disability

Local CMPs provide comprehensive free care for individuals with severe mental health conditions, including regular psychiatric care and ongoing therapy. The Prestation de Compensation du Handicap (PCH), a disability benefit, is now available for individuals with mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, or neurodevelopmental disorders to help cover related costs and support independent living.

International Students

In addition to general mental health support available to all residents, international students can access Bureaux d’Aide Psychologique Universitaires (BAPU) for free and unlimited psychological support specifically tailored to student needs. Digital resources like BetterHelp, TalkSpace, and Bloom apps are also available and can provide additional support options for students comfortable with technology-based interventions.

6. Digital Resources and Helplines

Apps

Several digital platforms offer online counseling and self-guided therapy options. BetterHelp, TalkSpace, and Bloom apps provide accessible mental health support that can complement traditional therapy or serve as an entry point for those hesitant about in-person treatment. Doctolib also facilitates online bookings and video consultations with licensed practitioners, expanding access to professional care.

Helplines

Various helplines provide immediate assistance for mental health crises and emotional support. English-speaking options include SOS Help (01 46 21 46 46) and Samaritans UK (08457 90 90 90 or 116 123), which offer crisis intervention and emotional support services. French-speaking helplines cover specialized areas including alcohol and drug abuse support, suicide prevention (3114), and general emotional support for various life challenges.

7. Challenges and Recent Reforms

Challenges

Navigating mental health services can be particularly tricky for foreigners, as most services are designed with local residents in mind and may not account for language barriers or cultural differences. The system faces significant strain with often long waiting times due to high demand and staffing shortages, particularly in public CMPs. The mental health crisis, especially among French youth, has worsened significantly, with current demand far exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Reforms (since 2022/2025)

The French government has implemented important reforms to improve mental health access. The “Mon Soutien Psy” program, introduced in 2022 and expanded in 2025, increased the number of fully reimbursed psychological support sessions from eight to twelve per year. A significant change implemented in 2025 removed the requirement for a GP referral to access these specific sessions, streamlining the process and reducing barriers to mental health care.

8. Mental Health in Monaco

Monaco, while separate from France, has also prioritized mental health initiatives by introducing a comprehensive five-year mental health plan in March 2022. This ambitious plan includes 53 specific actions designed to promote overall well-being, improve care coordination between different providers, and support successful reintegration into daily life for those receiving treatment.

Residents of Monaco can book mental health appointments through their regular healthcare providers or via the Monaco health portal, Monaco Santé, which provides a centralized platform for accessing various health services. Additionally, a specialized psychiatric center for children and adolescents has opened in Beausoleil, expanding mental health resources for young people in the principality.

See also: Finding Medical Care in France