[OUR CONSORTIUM] Future Student Mental Health Center: an update and first worksite visit

On The December 13, 2024

On December 13, 2024, the project’s financial partners attended their first site visit of the future Student Mental Health Center, managed by the Université de Lyon, which is due to open to students in January 2025.

Just over a month before the premises are handed over, the financial partners of the future Student Mental Health Center were delighted to be given a sneak preview of how the project is progressing, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the 300m² (3229 sq. ft.) facility at the heart of Lyon’s 7th arrondissement.

In her introduction, Nathalie Dompnier, President of the Université de Lyon, recalled that this project is the result of a close partnership between several key partners in the region, who provided political, financial, logistical and technical support.

Marine Gonsolin, General Practitioner and Center Director, gave an update on how the project is progressing, including the key steps in the project’s development, a presentation of the center’s future multidisciplinary team as well as its treatment program centered around four areas:

  1. Awareness
    Fostering increased knowledge and people seeking treatment
  2. Preventive measures
    Offering individual appointments and group workshops
  3. Time-limited intensive monitoring
    Providing medical and psychological consultations and nursing appointments for mood and anxiety disorders
  4. Early diagnosis and referral
    Providing psychiatric consultations for patients with suspected psychiatric disorders


Then, during the visit organized and led by the Université de Lyon, Nicolas Coureau, Director of Real Estate Strategy and Student Life and Marine Gonsolin, outlined how each of the areas would be used (reception area, workshop rooms, relaxation room, consultation rooms, etc.), which will welcome students from January 2025.

The Student Mental Health Center at a glance:

  • 300 m² (3229 sq. ft.) building provided to the Université de Lyon by the City of Lyon
  • A center located off-campus, in the downtown, 7th arrondissement of Lyon
  • Easily accessible by public transport and for people with reduced mobility
  • Open 4 days during the week and 1 day at the weekend
  • A medical and administrative team of 8 people (6.6 full-time equivalent posts)
  • Around 8,000 consultations attended per year
  • All student costs covered (social security and health insurance)