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INTRODUCTION

This paper aims to analyze the pilot program for street psychologists in specialized prevention launched in 2018 in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments in France. The goal is to highlight the challenges and dimensions of this new cross-disciplinary and innovative approach.

METHOD: The methodology is based on action research conducted in 2024 with seven street psychologists, as well as with young people receiving support and other professionals, as part of a qualitative study.

RESULT: The results demonstrate that by internalizing the issue of mental health, specialized prevention is developing a new practice of “reaching out” by psychologists trained throughout their education to “let things come.” This new methodological challenge of coordinating “outside the walls” and “inside the walls” enables the deconstruction of negative perceptions of psychology in priority neighborhoods and involves both professional realignments between educators and psychologists centered on “transprofessionalism” and the optimization of care delivery methods.

CONCLUSION

The arrival of street psychologists enables the sector to offer psycho-socio-educational services, establishing it as a major player in mental health policies. Nevertheless, while the effects on young people are clearly observable, the gains are fragile insofar as the precarious nature of the positions may jeopardize promising results.