In September 2026, the French health landscape is being reshaped around a few key themes that go beyond simple seasonal advice. Mental health has been established as a political priority, wellness practices are changing in nature, and climate vigilance has become permanent: the issues that structure this year affect both public policies and the daily lives of patients.
Mental health in France: a National Great Cause extended into 2026
The government has renewed mental health as a National Great Cause for 2026, following its initial designation in 2025. The second phase of the “Let’s talk about mental health!” plan is not limited to communication.
Among the structural measures is the full reimbursement of psychologist sessions, currently being stabilized after a testing phase. The initiative aims to remove the financial barrier that prevented part of the population from seeking consultation.
This renewal reflects a quantified observation: feedback from the field, relayed in the news on Health and Wellness, shows that the demand for psychological care has not diminished since the post-Covid period. The question remains open regarding the system’s capacity to absorb this demand, particularly outside major metropolitan areas where waiting times for care are increasing.
Wellness and psychological reasons: what the Resalib 2026 Barometer reveals
The 2026 Wellness Barometer, conducted by Resalib with 2,373 respondents, provides unexpected insights into the reasons that drive the French towards wellness practitioners. For the first time, improvement of psychological state becomes the primary reason for consultation, cited by 58.5% of respondents, ahead of physical reasons (55.2%).
This shift modifies the profile of the most sought-after practices. Hypnosis, reflexology, and kinesiology are on the rise, driven by this mental-focused demand. The perception of usefulness follows: 66.7% of respondents consider these practices useful or effective.
On the other hand, the barometer highlights a persistent need for clarification regarding practitioners’ qualifications and the fees charged. No unified regulatory framework governs these professions, leaving patients without a reliable reference to distinguish a trained practitioner from a self-taught one. The available data does not allow for conclusions about the evolution of this situation in the short term.
Wellness practices: limits to keep in mind
The rise in consultations for psychological reasons does not mean that these practices replace medical follow-up. They most often serve as a complement, but the boundary remains unclear for part of the public.
Three points deserve verification before consulting a wellness practitioner:
- The training undertaken and its duration, as certifications vary from one organization to another without official equivalence
- The existence of supervision or affiliation with an identifiable professional network
- Transparency regarding fees and the expected number of sessions, often absent from initial consultations
Heatwave and excess mortality in France: a heavy health assessment in 2026
Summer 2026 has imposed a reality that previous assessments had anticipated. France recorded 7,000 additional deaths related to heatwaves by the end of July, according to figures provided by the Minister of Health. In Haute-Garonne, the transition to extreme heatwave red alert on June 22 led to a notable increase in emergency visits for hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia.
Public Health France and the Regional Health Agencies have intensified the dissemination of monitoring bulletins. Recommendations primarily target health professionals and establishments hosting vulnerable individuals.
Summer health monitoring: beyond the heat
The heatwave is not the only summer vigilance topic. Monitoring of arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) has been strengthened during summer 2026, in connection with the geographical spread of the tiger mosquito. Mpox is also receiving specific attention in Occitanie.
These simultaneous alerts raise questions about the capacity of monitoring systems to address multiple fronts at the same time, in a context where extreme climatic events are becoming recurrent rather than exceptional.
Back to school 2026: health remains the priority for the French despite low morale
According to available data for the back-to-school period in 2026, health remains the primary concern for the French, in a climate of marked pessimism. Economic difficulties weigh on households but do not push health issues to the background.
This hierarchy of priorities is reflected concretely in consumption choices. Spending related to wellness and prevention holds up better than other budget items. Meanwhile, 83% of companies plan to evolve their wellness programs at work, according to a WTW barometer. The trend identified by HR departments aims to streamline existing systems rather than piling on new ones.
- Refocusing on actions with measurable impact (prevention, access to care, psychological support)
- Reduction of programs perceived as cosmetic (concierge services, wellness gadgets)
- Integration of mental health into the company’s social performance indicators
The common thread of this year 2026, from public policies to individual practices, hinges on a shift: mental health is no longer a secondary issue. It now structures reimbursement decisions, reasons for consultation, and companies’ budgetary choices. Field data confirms this trend, even if the regulatory framework for wellness practices remains to be established.
