Illustration of a bookstore closed in Paris due to re-containment. – Xavier FRANCOLON / SIPA
A free helpline for “to provide initial listening and psychological support to business leaders in distress”. While the country has known for a week a new confinement leading to the closing of many “non-essential” businesses, the Ministry of the Economy announced this Saturday to extend the psychological support cell set up last spring.
The toll-free number (0 805 65 50 50) open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for business leaders affected by the health and economic crisis will operate for an additional six months.
Extreme suffering
More than 950 calls have been recorded so far “with 421 management support via the partner sentries” formed by the association APESA (Psychological assistance to entrepreneurs in acute suffering), reports the ministry.
“This represents an overall increase in coverage by APESA of 46% compared to 2019 over the same period.”
“Numerous testimonies reveal how often extreme the suffering experienced by those who are today confronted with the unthinkable, the shattered dream of the eventual disappearance of their business, the feeling of loss of identity, dignity and ‘usefulness’, underlines the director of the association, quoted in the press release.
This service is set up via APESA with the support of Harmonie Mutuelle, the networks of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI France), Chambers of Trades and Crafts (CMA France) and the bank Themis.