Lifeline
After a period of severe depression, Jean-Claude was hospitalised for treatment. During his time in hospital, he lost both his job and his flat. He had nowhere to recover once discharged.
Since the beginning of May, he has been staying at Maison L'Escale in Esch-sur-Alzette, a transitional facility that helps people in vulnerable situations regain stability. Residents have access to a nurse, a social worker, and psychological support. Jean-Claude initially struggled to accept his circumstances, but it was his family who convinced him to seek help.
Maison Medic-Psycho-Sociale L'Escale opened in March 2022 and has since welcomed more than 100 people. The facility can accommodate up to 10 residents at a time, with each person able to stay for up to a year. Currently, seven patients are receiving care there.
The centre has moved twice and now operates from the former Maison Schleimer, an annex of the Emile Mayrisch Hospital in Esch-sur-Alzette. The Ministry of Health supports the project, and the Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch highlights the crucial role of social medicine in Luxembourg's healthcare landscape.
About 20% of patients at L'Escale are Luxembourg nationals. That figure challenges the assumption that precariousness only affects certain groups.
For Jean-Claude, his time at L'Escale will soon come to an end. He is taking steps, one at a time, to regain a stable life. The structure, above all, has given him the opportunity for a new start.