The “Mon soutien psy” scheme

Are you feeling unwell, sad, anxious or stressed? Are you experiencing difficulties linked to your use of tobacco, alcohol or cannabis? Has one of your employees confided in you about feeling anxious? In many cases, talking with a psychologist over a few sessions helps to get through a difficult period. Do not wait to take care of yourself, talk about it with those around you and do not hesitate to seek help.

In an emergency or if you are having suicidal thoughts, call 3114, the national suicide prevention number, free and available 24/7.

The big change is the simplification of access: you no longer need to obtain a prescription from your doctor to enter the scheme.

1. You choose a partner psychologist from the official directory of contracted psychologists (you can also, if you wish, discuss it beforehand with your doctor or midwife).
2. You book an appointment directly. The first session, an assessment interview, must take place in person; the follow-up sessions can then be held remotely if the psychologist considers it appropriate.
3. You pay for the session: 50 €, a fixed rate with no extra fees (except in cases of direct billing).
4. The psychologist gives you a care form, which you send to your health insurance fund.
5. You are reimbursed 60 % by the French statutory health insurance (30 €), and the remaining 40 % (20 €) is covered by your supplementary health insurance under a responsible contract, that is, in most cases, no out-of-pocket cost.

Good to know: from 1 October 2026, direct billing will be generalised on the health insurance share. You will then no longer have to pay upfront the 30 € covered by social security. In addition, certain situations (Complementary Health Solidarity scheme, State Medical Aid, long-term condition, maternity, accident at work) already benefit from an exemption from paying upfront.

• The psychologist holds a master’s degree in psychology: they provide support through talking and therapies, but do not prescribe medication. It is the psychologist who is involved in “Mon soutien psy”.

• The psychiatrist is a specialist doctor: they make diagnoses, prescribe treatments, and their consultations are reimbursed 70 % by the French statutory health insurance within the care pathway.

• The psychotherapist, finally, is a title regulated by law, which can be held by a psychologist or a doctor who has completed specific training.

In practice, the two approaches are complementary: the psychologist acts on the front line for mild to moderate distress, while the psychiatrist takes over when the situation requires medical expertise (severe depression, suicide risk, serious medical history).

At the end of the 12 sessions, a review is carried out with the psychologist. If your condition has improved, the support can stop there. Otherwise, several options exist: a new cycle of sessions can be opened the following calendar year, after a discussion between the psychologist and a doctor; you can be referred to more specialised care (a medical-psychological centre, a psychiatrist); or continue the sessions at your own expense, checking whether your supplementary health insurance provides a dedicated psychology allowance.

This allowance, offered by many health insurers, often takes the form of an annual amount (for example 200 to 300 €) or a capped number of sessions. Be careful: it is frequently pooled with other practices (osteopathy, sophrology and so on), which is why it is worth reading your contract’s guarantees carefully.

Students also have access to the Santé Psy Étudiant scheme, which gives entitlement, with no upfront payment and no medical referral, to free psychologist sessions. This scheme can be combined with “Mon soutien psy” and responds to the sharp rise in psychological distress among young adults. The two schemes share the same contracting requirements and are gradually converging to simplify the care pathway.

For employers, this scheme is part of a broader approach to quality of life at work and the prevention of psychosocial risks. Good group health insurance tops up the reimbursement of the sessions and may even provide a psychology allowance beyond the 12 covered sessions. Making your teams aware of the existence of “Mon soutien psy” is a simple gesture that contributes to employees’ social protection and wellbeing.