ESSOR Mental Health Centres

The project is implemented by Forum réfugiés in France. The Health Centre Essor of Villeurbanne, created in 2007 and approved by the Regional Health Agency in 2008, aims to help exiled people in psychological suffering and victims of intentional violence and torture, for free. Consultations can start at the age of 6.

Since 2020, the centre ESSOR 63, at Clermont-Ferrand, provides the same dedicated help.

The main goal of the project is to help people in exile suffering psychologically. 

Main activities of the Good Practice

Provide specialized medical consultations, psychological therapies, physiotherapy, art-therapy workshops and prevention actions.

Cumulative trauma is observed in many patients, related to the reasons for leaving the country of origin, the experiences on the way, but also to living conditions in the host country and the complex stages of the asylum procedure.

Since 2021, a program (ACCSO) has strengthened the means in three regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur et Occitanie), relying on a reference doctor, a health framework at headquarters and focal points in Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse.

In 2022, ESSOR centres have had almost 900 patients, and more than 3 000 consultations.

For more information, consult our website.

Elements which helped facilitate the implementation of the good practice

Long term funding is required.

Partners involved

People are referred to the center by health or social professionals, public or private services, associations or shelters (people can also come by themselves).

Other key partners are regions and translators.

What challenges were encountered in delivering the project and how were they overcome?

Challenges

Finding resources.

How they were overcome

Perserverance and a dedicated team. 

Results of the Good Practice

Results in terms of mental health are not quantifiable. 

In what way does the good practice meet one or more of the four objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?

Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

Helping a person with post traumatic stress disorder or another mental health condition is essential to help the person better integrate into the host society. 

Next steps

The aim is for the centres to be permanent and mental health a State priority. 

Are there areas in which support would be required to continue and/or scale up your good practice?

Funding.