🧠✨ Mental health & non-pharmacological interventions: how do NPI transform prevention and education? A call for contributions to rethink practices, from care to the educational field.

Source: 📒 Educating on non-pharmacological interventions: issues of training – education and prevention in mental health towards a better 'ethos'.📜🔗LINK

At the heart of the subject 

Analytical summary 

Context and issues: mental health as a public priority

In 2025, mental health is designated as a 'National Great Cause' in France, revealing a major issue: 1 in 4 French people report poor mental health, with marked disparities (36% of women, 38% of 18-24 year olds). Stereotypes persist, and territorial and social inequalities exacerbate vulnerabilities. In light of this observation, thenon-pharmacological interventions (NPI)emerge as a complementary lever to traditional care. This issue ofResearch & educationexplore their potential to improve well-being and their integration into the fields of education and training. The challenge? To move from a logic of repair (cure) to a preventive and educational approach (care), relying on scientifically validated practices (psychotherapy, art therapy, adapted physical activities, etc.), while avoiding sectarian drifts or amalgams with alternative medicines.

Operational contributions: from INM to educational praxis

The document proposes aepistemological overhaulof INM, positioning them as ameta-conceptat the intersection of health, education, and training. It highlights:

• The scientific frameworkof INM by the NPIS (since 2020), with 77 recommendations to assess their effectiveness and safety.
• Concrete axesfor professionals: training in mental health first aid (SSM), deployment of modules in professional settings, and adaptation of systems such asMonSoutienPsy.
• A multidisciplinary approach, integrating social, economic, and cultural dimensions, to meet the needs of vulnerable populations (elderly people, youth, caregivers, etc.).
• A call for contributionsto explore the5 thematic axes: scientific literature, definitions, effects on mental health, educational issues, and risks of drifts.

The objective is clear:making INM a tool for prevention and empowerment, by anchoring them in ethical protocols and reflective practices.

Key points to remember

• Definition and framework of INM: Psychological, physical or nutritional interventions, supervised by NPIS since 2020, to prevent or treat mental health disorders (p. 5-6).
• Mental health in France: 23% of French people believe they do not take care of it; INM aims to fill the gaps in the healthcare system, particularly in rural areas and among vulnerable populations (p. 3-4).
• Innovations and vigilance: INM includes hypnosis, art therapy or adapted physical activities, but requires astrict frameworkto avoid deviations (sectarian, obscurantist) (p. 6-7).
• Educational approach: INM could become amedium for preventionin schools, businesses and institutions, in addition to medical care (p. 2-3).
• Call for contributions: The issue requests feedback, clinical analyses and reflections on the integration of INM into training (p. 7-8).

Action points

1. Training professionals: Use the modules ofMental Health First Aid (MHFA)for educational and social teams (p. 4).
2. Adapting INM for vulnerable audiences: Integrate tools such as art therapy or horticultural therapy into care facilities (nursing homes, prisons, schools) (p. 6).
3. Evaluate practices: Rely on theNPIS framework(2024) to select validated INM and avoid unregulated approaches (p. 10).
4. Co-construct projects: Involve beneficiaries (patients, students, users) in the design of programmes, throughparticipatory methods(p. 7).

Other references

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Cross-sectional analysis

The benchmarks - 📜🔗LINK

Cross-sectional analysis according to the values of Pratiques en Santé

• Literacy: The document emphasises theclarification of terms(INM vs TNM) and proposes accessible tools (p. 5-6).
• Empowerment: Beneficiaries are invited toparticipate in the evaluationof INM through experiential feedback (p. 7).
• Participation: Co-construction is encouraged between professionals, researchers, and users (p. 7).
• Community health: INM aims tostrengthen networks(family, work, school) for collective mental health (p. 4).
• Ethics: Therisks of abuses(cults, quackery) are explicitly addressed (p. 8).
• Human rights: The approach integratesequity(gender, age, precariousness) and the fight against stereotypes (p. 4).
• Intersectorality: Recommended partnerships between health, education and social work (p. 3).
• Fight against discrimination: The document highlights thecultural and social biasesin mental health (p. 4).

Summary: This document meets the criteria ofscientific rigorandoperationality, but would benefit from specifying someconcrete toolsfor field actors (e.g. evaluation grids for INM).

• Cited sources: WHO, NPIS, HAS, recent ministerial reports (2023-2026).
• Methodology: Double blind expertise for contributions, solid epistemological framework (Schwartz, Maggi).
• Current affairs: Data aligned with public policies (National Major Cause 2025) and scientific advances (NPIS 2024).

Multiple choice questions

Part 1: Questions

Question 1: According to the NPIS (2020), an INM is defined as: a) An alternative therapy not governed by conventional medicine. b) A psychological, bodily or nutritional intervention, scientifically validated. c) An exclusive supplement to medications in psychiatry. d) A practice reserved for specialist doctors.

Question 2: What percentage of French people report not taking care of their mental health (2023)? a) 10 % b) 23 % c) 40 % d) 50 %

Question 3: Among these examples, whichis nota recognised CAM? a) Art therapy b) Supervised intermittent fasting c) Radiotherapy d) Adapted physical activities

Question 4: What French initiative aims to train more psychologists in mental health? a)MonParcoursPsyb)MonSoutienPsyc)SantéPsyd)PsyEnLigne

Question 5: What major risk is associated with unregulated CAM? a) A too rapid improvement in mental health b) Sectarian or obscurantist deviations c) A reduction in costs for Health Insurance d) An increase in medication prescriptions

Part 2: Commented correction

Question 1 : ✅ Correct answer: b)📝 Explanation: The NPIS defines CAM as scientifically validated interventions,distinct from alternative medicines (p. 5-6)., distinctes des médecines alternatives (p. 5-6).

Question 2 : ✅ Correct answer: b)📝 Explanation: 23 % of French people believe they do not take care of their mental health, according to Health Insurance (2023) (p. 3).

Question 3 : ✅ Correct answer: c)📝 Explanation: Radiotherapy is a conventional medical treatment, unlike CAM (p. 6).

Question 4 : ✅ Correct answer: b)📝 Explanation:MonSoutienPsyis cited as a maintained system for training psychologists (p. 4).

Question 5 : ✅ Correct answer: b)📝 Explanation: The document warns about thesectarian driftsrelated to unregulated practices (p. 8).

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a non-drug intervention (NDI)?Anon-drug intervention(NDI) is a validated practice (psychological, physical, nutritional) aimed at preventing or treating mental health disorders, regulated by the NPIS since 2020 (p. 5-6).

2. Why are NDIs important in prevention?They complement traditional care by acting on thewell-beingand theautonomyof individuals, particularly in educational or social contexts (p. 2-3).

3. Which groups are a priority for NDIs?Young people (18-24 years), women,, isolated elderly peopleand employees suffering from mental distress(p. 3-4).How can we avoid drifts with NDIs?By relying on theNPIS reference framework(2024) and prioritising certified practices

4. (p. 8).Do NDIs replace medications?No, they are (2024) et en privilégiant les pratiques certifiées (p. 8).

5. Les INM remplacent-elles les médicaments ? Non, elles sont complémentaires aux traitements conventionnels (p. 6).

6. Comment former les équipes aux INM ? Via des modules comme les Secours en Santé Mentale (SSM) ou des programmes d’éducation thérapeutique (p. 4).

7. Où trouver des ressources fiables sur les INM ? Sur les sites de la NPIS, de l’OMS, ou du ministère de la Santé (p. 9).

Facile à lire et à comprendre

Éduquer aux interventions sans médicaments

Pour mieux prendre soin de sa santé mentale

1. C’est quoi la santé mentale ?

La santé mentale, c’est se sentir bien dans sa tête. Cela permet de :

• Gérer le stress.
• Bien apprendre et bien travailler.
• Aider les autres et participer à la vie autour de soi.

En France, 1 personne sur 4 dit avoir des problèmes de santé mentale. Cela touche surtout :

• Les jeunes (18-24 ans).
• Les femmes.
• Les personnes seules ou précaires.

2. Qu’est-ce qu’une intervention sans médicament (INM) ?

Une INM, c’est une façon d’aider les gens sans donner de médicaments. Par exemple :

• Parler avec un psychologue (thérapie).
• Bouger son corps (sport adapté, yoga).
• Créer quelque chose(drawing, music, gardening).
• Eat a balanced diet.(special diets).

These methods aretested and approvedby scientists. They help to:

• Feel better.
• Prevent diseases.
• Complement medical care.

3. Why is it important?

The INM can:

• Prevent problems from worsening..
• Help everyone: children, adults, elderly people.
• Work with doctorsfor better health.

In 2025, mental health is amajor priorityin France. The government wants to:

• Better informpeople.
• Train more professionals(psychologists, educators).
• Fight against misconceptionsabout mental illnesses.

4. Beware of dangers

Some methodsare not safe.They can:

• Cause harmif they are not supervised.
• Be scams(cults, charlatans).

To avoid risks, you should:

• Check that the method is recognised(by the NPIS, for example).
• Seek advice from a healthcare professional..

5. How to use the INM?

The INM can be used:

• At school.: to help stressed students.
• At work: for employees in difficulty.
• At home: for caregivers or elderly people.

Examples of INM:

6. Who can help?

Everyone can act:

• Teachers: by using INM at school.
• Doctors: by offering these methods to their patients.
• Families: by supporting their loved ones.

7. Where to find information?

To learn more, you can consult:

• The government website:santementale.gouv.fr
• The World Health Organization (WHO) website.
• TheWhite Paper on INM(2024):www.npisregistry.org/fr/

8. A call to share your ideas

This document inviteseveryoneto participate:

• Professionals: share your experiences.
• Researchers: explain your findings.
• Concerned individuals: share what has helped you.

The goal?To find togetherthe best ways to help people feel better.

9. In summary

• The INM refers tonon-medication methodsfor mental health.
• They areused alongside traditionalcare.
• One mustbe cautiousof untested methods.
• Everyone canlearn and usethese tools