Inside a French emergency psychiatric unit: Social stigma, a lack of beds and drug shortages

In France, mental health issues are a pressing concern, with one in five people affected. The government has recognized this challenge and aims to address it by 2025, focusing on a spectrum of conditions from mild to severe. However, psychiatric emergency units, like the Ville-Evrard unit at Delafontaine Hospital in Saint-Denis, are struggling with social stigma, a shortage of beds, and medication shortages. This situation highlights the urgent need for reform and support in mental health care, as these facilities are crucial for helping individuals in distress.