Health · Mental Health · 8 hrs ago
French mental health group proposes 20 measures and €15bn plan
A French group of health workers, carers, patients and elected officials proposed 20 mental health measures on October 15.
Its plan calls for €3 billion a year for five years, or €15 billion in total.
The proposals focus on spotting problems earlier, putting patients at the centre of decisions and providing more care in the community rather than hospitals.
The government made mental health a national priority in 2025 and extended that status into 2026, but the group says no concrete measures or funding have followed.
The issue affects 12 million people in France, and the group also wants full reimbursement for psychologist visits and more support for carers.
The group has sent its proposals to candidates in the 2027 presidential election, urging them to make mental health a priority.
A collective of health workers, caregivers, patients and elected officials proposed 20 measures to improve mental health care in a white paper published on 15 October 2026.
The group called for a five-year plan costing €15 billion, or €3 billion a year.
Its proposals include earlier prevention, more outpatient care and putting people receiving care at the centre of decisions.
The collective also called for full reimbursement of psychologist sessions and financial support and respite for caregivers.
Mental health was designated a national priority in France in 2025 and the designation was extended through 2026.
- Who
- A collective of health workers, caregivers, patients and elected officials, published with support from Psychodon.
- What
- It proposed 20 measures and a €15 billion, five-year mental health plan.
- When
- 15 October 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The collective says mental health problems have increased and calls for earlier prevention, better care and a reallocation of funding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The French government designated mental health a national priority.
The national priority designation was extended.
The collective proposed 20 measures and a five-year plan in a white paper.
The collective said it had sent its work to the presidential candidates.
- Proposed measures
- 20
- Plan budget
- €3 billion per year for five years
- Total plan cost
- €15 billion over five years
- People affected
- 12 million people in France
- Psychologist sessions
- 12 per year under MonSoutienPsy
- Caregiver support
- €600 per month and 20 days of respite leave per year
What people are saying
Mental health problems have been exploding for a decade, and particularly since Covid.
Ministers come and go; he stays.
We are mainly asking for this money to be spent differently.