This article was produced in partnership with BetterHelp.
Summer is often portrayed as a time of rest, sunshine, and carefree enjoyment. Yet for some people, the start of summer vacation brings with it a sense of unease that is rarely spoken of openly. A break from routines, social pressure regarding body image and leisure activities, and a sense of isolation for those who stay in the city: all these factors make the summer season a more trying time than it appears. Understanding this often-downplayed summer anxiety is the first step toward better managing it.
When the summer break becomes a source of tension
The rhythm of the year shapes our daily lives: work schedules, our children’s school routines, and regular social touchstones. The sudden suspension of these routines at the start of summer can cause a feeling of uncertainty, or even anxiety. While some find the holidays a welcome respite, others experience a destabilizing loss of structure, particularly when their schedule empties out without any specific plans.
Added to this sense of disarray is a pervasive social pressure. The typical images of summer—bare skin, travel, outings, and festive reunions—create an implicit standard of summer happiness against which everyone measures themselves. For people going through a difficult time, this gap between the expected image of summer and their inner reality can heighten a sense of disconnect and loneliness.
Summer isolation: an underestimated risk factor
Summer also widens the gap in social connections. While some French people go on vacation, others stay home—whether due to lack of funds, lack of planning, or by choice. The departure of friends and family, the summer closure of many services, and the slowdown in neighborhood life can exacerbate a sense of isolation that is already present during the rest of the year. This phenomenon particularly affects people living alone, young adults, and the elderly.
This seasonal isolation echoes, on a different scale, the difficulties faced by French people living far from their familiar surroundings. A study on the mental health of expatriates highlights how being far from one’s usual support network and the loss of familiar surroundings can undermine emotional well-being. The mechanism is similar when the social environment thins out during the summer: the decrease in regular interactions deprives people of the informal support that, the rest of the year, quietly cushions the stresses of daily life.
Support that doesn’t stop during the holidays
In the face of these challenges, one of the key advantages of online therapy is its continuity. Whereas in-person therapy often pauses during the summer—due to the therapist’s vacation, the client’s travel plans, or clinic closures— BetterHelp offers psychological support that’s accessible without the need to travel or make an in-person appointment. Sessions can take place via video, phone, or text messages, from home, a vacation spot, or any location with an internet connection.
This flexibility directly addresses the realities of the summer season. A user who is traveling can continue their treatment without interruption, and the ability to message their therapist between sessions—who responds as soon as possible—maintains a sense of continuity even when schedules become disrupted. A closer look at how the platform works shows that this format is particularly suited to people with irregular schedules or those living in areas where access to in-person practitioners is limited—situations that are often exacerbated during the summer.
Qualified professionals providing structured support
Continuity is only meaningful if the support is provided by reliable professionals. In France, the therapists listed on BetterHelp are qualified psychologists and psychotherapists who are registered with the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and hold an RPPS number; their credentials and background are verified before any collaboration begins. As detailed in a recent article on access to psychological support in France, more than 400 qualified therapists are available, 70% of whom have over five years of experience, with all having at least three years of practice.
The process begins with a short questionnaire designed to identify the user’s needs and preferences, after which they are matched with a suitable professional, subject to availability. If the initial session is not a good fit, users may switch therapists at any time at no additional cost, in accordance with the terms and conditions. The specialties covered—stress management, anxiety, life transitions, and emotional rebalancing—directly address the challenges that the summer season tends to bring to the surface.
Transparent pricing and flexible terms
The model is based on a weekly subscription starting at €45 per week, depending on location, registration requirements, preferences, and therapist availability. It covers sessions as well as text messaging and can be paused or canceled at any time, in accordance with the terms and conditions. This flexibility is particularly well-suited to a time when budgets and availability vary. It should be noted that these services are not covered by Medicare; however, some private health insurance plans may cover all or part of the cost, depending on the policy, and users are encouraged to contact their private health insurance provider.
This accessibility partly explains why the format appeals to people who had never taken the plunge before. Several industry observers note that a gradual approach—starting with an initial exchange via text or phone before any video sessions—reduces the apprehension associated with the process, a decisive factor for those who are still hesitant to seek support.
Getting through the summer without putting your work-life balance on hold
Recognizing that summer can be a difficult time—not just a happy interlude—helps relieve the guilt felt by those who experience it that way. Emotional well-being doesn’t follow the vacation calendar, and the need for support doesn’t disappear when practices close. Having access to continuous, flexible support provided by qualified therapists registered with the ARS offers a concrete solution to this reality that is often overlooked.
By making mental health support accessible without restrictions on location or schedule, BetterHelp caters to those for whom summer is more about stress than relaxation. For these individuals, the challenge isn’t waiting until the start of the school year to take care of their mental health, but finding, right now, a setting that fits their summer rhythm.
BetterHelp offers mental health support for everyday challenges and is not an emergency service. In cases of immediate distress, 1-800-937-5000 and 3114 (the national suicide prevention hotline, available 24/7 and free of charge) remain the primary points of contact.
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