This psy check, a great novelty announced by Emmanuel Macron on January 21, was created to deal with the discomfort of students. Indeed, after a year of crisis, they are very hard hit by isolation, precariousness and uncertainty.

This new device, also called “Student Psychiatric Health”, will allow them to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist free of charge as part of a treatment course. All students, scholarship holders or not, will be able to benefit from it, whether they are in a public or private establishment, without limit of age or level of studies.

How will this check work?

The name is a bit misleading. It is not really a check, nor is it money in the pocket of the students. These are sessions, with professionals, fully supported.

First of all, if you are a student, you need to see a doctor. It can be a general practitioner within your university health service, also called SSU, or a doctor appearing on a list approved by your SSU, or even your own general practitioner.

Following this consultation, the general practitioner will prescribe the most suitable follow-up, either with a psychologist or with a psychiatrist according to your needs. You can then choose this practitioner from a list of shrinks approved by your university health service.

Once you have chosen your shrink from this list, you will then be entitled to three 45-minute consultations. You will not have to pay anything, everything will be fully taken care of, hence the idea of ​​”psy check”. It is the universities that will pay these health professionals.

Remedy the ill-being of students

Dr Caroline Combes, doctor and director of the Lyon university health center explains that this new device is a good thing.

But in reality, the SSUs really lack the means. Even though there have been recruitments of doctors and nurses in recent months, there are still very long waiting lists for students.

Dr Combes specifies that this device is only a complement. It is important that after these first three sessions, the students are well reoriented towards the SSU because it is there that they will be really supported at the level of their student life. For example with an adjustment of their course schedules, their exams, or even a reorientation if necessary.

This psy check is good, but at the same time, it is necessary to develop the healthcare offer directly on campuses and to create comprehensive support in line with the student’s place of life.

Other ways to find help

There are many and the list is far from exhaustive. The BAPU are the university psychological help offices which are consultation centers open to all students. They are found on almost every campus. Consultations are fully covered by Social Security and mutual societies.

There are also many associations that are trying to mobilize to help students, especially since the start of the pandemic.

• The association, care for health professionals (SPS) has launched a campaign directly aimed at students with a clip to alert young people to isolation:

Their toll-free number, 0805 23 23 36, is free and accessible 24/7, as well as their application.

They also have about 10% of their volunteer psychologists who speak foreign languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Swedish, Arabic. Which is useful because for foreign students the situation is very difficult.

• The Apsytude association.

On the site, aPSYtude, you can make an appointment directly online for a physical or video appointment with a mental health professional. You can also take an online test to see where you are. More than fifty shrinks work with the association, which is present in almost all cities in France.

• Finally the association Nightline is also very active.

It offers anonymous and free call lines at night, from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. There are 4 nightlines, one in Paris, one in Lille, one in Lyon and one in Saclay. You will find the various numbers on their site.

The association also carries out many actions to de-stigmatize the issue of student mental health. There are also many other associations and initiatives within regional councils, this list is far from complete.

If you are a student, do not hesitate to seek help, do not remain isolated. If you know of any students in your life who might need it, don’t hesitate to tell them about all of these devices.