In France, depression is one of the most widespread mental illnesses. According to "Santé publique France," nearly one in ten French citizens has experienced a depressive episode in the past 12 months. Since the beginning of the health crisis, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has remained at a particularly high level, hitting young adults, students, and professionals especially hard.

In addition to its profound impact on quality of life, depression also represents a significant burden on the healthcare system and the economy (through absenteeism, loss of productivity, and the chronic development of disorders).

To address this challenge, the traditional treatment pathway mainly relies on the following pillars:

• General Practice: The first point of contact for the majority of patients
• Medical-Psychological Centers (CMP): They offer state-funded care, but are often overloaded
• Psychologists and Psychiatrists in Private Practice: The cost of consultations outside the contracted network can represent a financial barrier
• The "MonSoutienPsy" Program: Allows for the reimbursement of a limited number of sessions with partner psychologists, though its implementation is still being adjusted

Despite these measures, France faces a key issue: long waiting times for adequate treatment. It can take several weeks—or even several months in medically underserved areas—to get an appointment at a private practice or specialized center. This waiting time is critical, as early treatment is essential to prevent depressive symptoms from worsening.

Against the backdrop of these structural tensions, digital healthcare offers complementary solutions. Digital therapies do not aim to replace human contact or the therapeutic relationship; instead, they provide a flexible and immediately accessible intermediate solution.

Based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), these interactive applications enable patients to:

• Actively develop skills to manage depressive symptoms and unhelpful thoughts
• Track their progress in daily life
• Receive structured support at any time (24/7), especially while waiting for comprehensive care

While some European countries, such as Germany, have introduced systematic reimbursement for prescription digital health applications (the DiGA system), France is gradually building its own legal framework (notably through the PECAN scheme for temporary coverage).

deprexis is a CE-marked medical device already used by more than 275,000 patients worldwide. It is backed by over 15 years of clinical research and 16 scientific studies to support adults affected by depression.

Unlike the German model, where the product is fully covered by public health insurance, deprexis is available in France without reimbursement through social security.

In the French market, the program relies on a direct out-of-pocket purchase model by patients (or coverage by certain complementary health insurances, depending on the policy). This choice for direct access offers two main benefits:

• Immediacy: No complex administrative steps are required to start the program.
• Autonomy: Patients can choose whether to begin the process completely independently or as a complement to their standard medical care.

Would you like to learn more about deprexis in France? Visit our French-language website!