The goal is clear: to identify situations of distress earlier, intervene proactively, and fight against inequalities in access to care. In a context where mental health issues among children are becoming more visible, public actors want to offer an innovative response that complements existing systems.
A space designed for listening and prevention
The Children's House aims to be a reassuring and non-stigmatizing place, far from the image of a traditional medical institution. Families will find a multidisciplinary team made up of childcare workers, educators, doctors, and psychologists, trained to support young children.
The interventions will be intentionally short and targeted, either individual or group-based. This will not be long-term therapeutic follow-up, but rather an initial level of assessment to identify needs, reassure parents, and, if necessary, provide referrals to.
A response to a worrying observation
The creation of the Children's House is based on concerning data. According to a study by the Regional Health Observatory (ORS), 1,600 children aged 6 to 11 were treated for a psychiatric condition in Loire-Atlantique in 2021. Between 2015 and 2021, this number has 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 have sought to enhance the availability of prevention and support services, especially for families who are most distant from the healthcare system.
A jointly supported project
The Children's House is the result of close collaboration between the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Pays de la Loire, the City of Nantes, the Département of Loire-Atlantique, and the CHU of Nantes. For Jérôme Junel, General Director of ARS, this project addresses...
rave; an urgent need: “to propose a new response that is capable of welcoming, listening to, guiding, and supporting children in situations of distress.” The choice of location is also strategic. The facility will be set up in the Gina building, within the future health district, very close to the new hospital. This placement will facilitate connections with pediatric services and the future child psychiatry unit announced for 2027.For whom and how to access it?
The Children's House will be aimed at families facing various situations: sleep disorders, anxiety, emotional difficulties, social withdrawal, periods of mourning or separation. The service will be free and unconditional, accessible through referrals (school, healthcare professional, social worker) or at the initiative of the parents. However, the facility will not handle medical emergencies, chronic illnesses, or specialized assessments. In these cases, families will be directed to the appropriate services.
An established calendar
*January 2026: recruitment of management
*Beginning of 2026: formation of the multidisciplinary team
*September 2026: opening to the public at 6 rue Suzanne-Képès in Nantes