Stories

ESJ : Lea's experience, 24 years old

A victim of sexual assault, Lea found light in a dark time by reaching out for help at the Dispensaire, whom she heard about through a Facebook group called “Les filles de Londres”. From the first call, she was greeted by Marie’s soothing voice. Her young age allowed her to attend an Espace Sante Jeunes session the next Friday, and avoid the waitlist all the while benefiting from a totally free treatment.

As a young low-income adult, Lea was taken under the wing of the Dispensaire for her to be looked after in the long-term by another psychologist. The latter immediately advised Marie to redirect Lea towards a gynecologist and then a general practitioner. All these appointments are organised in the week, which prevented Lea’s health from worsening and made her feel guided by a team who do not even need to ask her to repeat her painful story because they know how important it is in situations like hers. Lea appreciated the comfort and trust brought to her by the professionals who looked after her, all of which were women. Such admirative work for someone who had struggled with negative past therapy experiences throughout her childhood…

“I think the fact that the whole team is made up of volunteers makes it easier for them to communicate amongst themselves to facilitate the treatment between different specialists. I know I was very lucky, I am so grateful.”

Francais à Londres: www.francais-a-londres-dsb.org 

L’Espace Santé Jeunes in London

The Espace Santé Jeunes (ESJ) is a place reserved for the physical and mental health of young people aged 13 to 25 years old. Affiliated to the French Dispensaire, a charity founded in the 19th century, the ESJ organises free sessions every Friday from noon to 3pm. Kick-started by one of the Dispensaire’s volunteer psychologists, the space was opened up in September 2019 in response to an exponential demand for medical and psychological advice in the young French speaking community. Francais a Londres recently interviewed Magali Chabrelie, director of the Dispensaire and Nathalie Dubreuil, a psychologist running the Espace Santé Jeunes.

A trustworthy and supportive space

Accessible and free, the ESJ is “a space open to all, a moment where being listened to in total confidentiality is possible”, Magali Chabrelie reminds us. Contrary to the Dispensaire, where sessions cost ten pounds along with an equal registration fee, the ESJ is completely free of charge. The idea is to prioritise a place of exchange young people can confide in and benefit from supporting medical professional help. Anonymity, confidentiality and discretion are non-negotiable during consultations.

Throughout the pandemic and many lockdowns, the sessions have been transformed. Nathalie Dubreuil, a psychologist in the heart of the Espace Santé Jeunes recalls as such: “We had to adapt quickly and be more creative in our approach. We therefore decided to transform the space to make it available by telephone consultation each Friday from 12h to 15h where young people can call and speak directly to a psychologist.” Any young person wishing to attend the Espace Sante Jeunes can likewise phone in advance to book an appointment during the week. On average, five teenagers or young adults reach out per week.

As such, teleconsultations are also available: “The teleconsultations by zoom or phone call can sometimes be outside the 12-15h bracket depending on the urgency of the person’s situation. We are flexible and adapt.” This system strengthens and extends the ESJ’s reach: “We are also open to people living outside London, for example isolated students in university dorms, they have the possibility of being supported and listened to” points out the Dispensaire director.

 

Strong therapy guidance

The Espace Sante Jeunes is composed of four psychologists working as a team: “The four psychologists take it by turns. We have regular meetings between ourselves to maintain organisation, structure and follow-up appointments with welcomed young patients” emphasises Nathalie Dubreuil, who coordinates the whole team.

Personalised support is at the heart of the ESJ psychologists’ objectives. The patient can touch on issues from love, anxiety (increasingly more this year), sexuality, health, nutrition to bullying. “It is a safe space that welcomes all kinds of suffering. It is often hard for certain young people to be out of their comfort zone or what they were used to. It is equally important to have the opportunity to have a therapy session in one's mother tongue” specifies the ESJ psychologist.

The Espace Sante Jeunes also becomes a place of trust to not only talk but find solutions. Indeed, following a consultation with the psychologist, a follow up with the young person is always organised. Magalie Chabrelie stresses as such: “It is very rare that young people do not get a follow up session. The goal of the Espace Sante Jeunes is to provide short-term relief after which patients are called back for a follow up session to see how their situation is evolving.” This follow up can also take place as an appointment with professionals of the Dispensaire like generalists or gynecologists. For instance, Lea, a young 24 year old French, benefitted from the guided support of the ESJ along with the Dispensaire:

“From the first call, she was greeted by Marie’s soothing voice. Her young age allowed her to attend an Espace Sante Jeunes session the next Friday, and avoid the waitlist all the while benefiting from a totally free treatment.”

“As a low-income young adult, Lea was taken under the wing of the Dispensaire for her to be looked after in the long-term by another psychologist. The latter immediately advised Marie to redirect Lea towards a gynecologist and then a general practitioner.”

“All these appointments are organised in the week, which prevented Lea’s health from worsening and made her feel guided by a team who do not even need to ask her to repeat her painful story because they know how important it is in situations like hers.”

 

Multi-disciplinary ambitions

Looking forward, Magalie Chabrelie wishes to “increase the number of professionals participating in the initiative, with a nurse working at all times, a general practitioner or a gynecologist for instance on top of the psychologist.” In this way, The Espace Sante Jeunes will become multi-disciplinary and be able to answer the heavy demand for consultations.

If this multidisciplinary approach is put forward and strengthened, it will allow the space to increase its capacity to welcome more patients and give them quality follow-up care by really taking into account both the physical and psychological dimensions of their health.