This Thursday, October 13, in Montpellier, Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, announced the developments in aid dedicated to student health, voted by the National Council for Higher Education (CNESER). In order to compensate for the lack of support for students in terms of mental health, university health services (SSU) will be extended to all students at the beginning of 2023.
A reform of SSU for all higher education students
If, during the COVID period, the capacity of the SSUs expanded, they also demonstrated the need to better coordinate their actions. With a view to responding to the treatment of mental and sexual health, addictions and nutritional support, health services will be strengthened and expanded to all students at the beginning of 2023. “All higher education students, and not just university students, will be able to have access to medical prevention and care”underlines the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
To do this, student organizations and the various stakeholders in the academic world have been working together since January 2022. All these exchanges allowed the Minister today to present the SSU reforms:
- SSUs will become Student Health Services (SHS).
- A better response to the needs of students, thanks to a territorial approach in addition to the national offer.
- Better representation of students in SSE governance.
- Better legitimacy of action in all areas of student health. It will be included in the education code that the SSEs are in charge of mental health, sexual health, addictions, and nutritional support for students.
A budget of 8.2 million euros for student health
In order to enable the implementation of this reform, Sylvie Retailleau announced a budget envelope of 8.2 million euros from 2023. This budget will make it possible in particular to increase the payroll of the current SSU which will subsequently become SSE. This envelope will also strengthen their means of operation. From now on, it constitutes a tool for the health and well-being of all students.
