The goal is clear: to identify distressing situations earlier, intervene upstream, and fight against inequalities in access to care. In a context where mental health issues in children are becoming increasingly visible, public actors wanted to propose an innovative response, complementing existing systems.
A place designed for listening and prevention
The House of Children aims to be a reassuring and non-stigmatizing place, far from the image of a traditional medical facility. Families will find a multidisciplinary team made up of nurses, educators, doctors, and psychologists, trained in supporting young children.
The care provided will be intentionally short and focused, either individually or in groups. This will not involve long-term therapeutic follow-up, but rather an initial level of assessment to identify needs, reassure parents, and, if necessary, guide them towards further help.
A response to a concerning observation
The creation of the Maison des enfants is based on troubling data. According to a study by the Regional Health Observatory (ORS), 1,600 children aged 6 to 11 were treated for psychiatric disorders in Loire-Atlantique in 2021. Between 2015 and 2021, this number increased by 25%, reflecting a decline in children's mental health, exacerbated by recent health and social crises. In response to this trend, public authorities aimed to enhance prevention and support services, particularly for families that are most distant from the care system.
A project carried out together
The Maison des enfants is the result of a close partnership between the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Pays de la Loire, the City of Nantes, the Loire-Atlantique Department, and the Nantes University Hospital. For Jérôme Junel, the general director of the ARS, this project meets the urgent need for...
urgent need: "to offer a new response, capable of welcoming, listening to, guiding, and supporting children in distress." The choice of location is also strategic. The center will be located in the Gina building, within the future health district, very close to the new hospital. This location will facilitate connections with pediatric services and the future child psychiatry unit scheduled for 2027.Who is it for and how to access it?
The House of Children will cater to families facing various situations: sleep disorders, anxiety, emotional difficulties, withdrawal, periods of grief, or separation. The welcome will be free and unconditional, accessible through referrals (school, healthcare professional, social worker) or initiated by parents. However, the center will not handle medical emergencies, chronic illnesses, or specialized assessments. In these cases, families will be directed to the appropriate services.
An already established calendar
*January 2026: recruitment of the management team
*Early 2026: formation of the multidisciplinary team
*September 2026: opening to the public, at 6 Suzanne-Képès Street in Nantes