A recent study highlights a troubling surge in mental health struggles among France’s youth, a crisis that has deepened significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to research published in the JAMA Network Open journal, young people in France are seeking mental health services at an alarming rate, with sharp increases in consultations, hospitalizations, and prescriptions for mental health medications.
The study, which tracked the health of over 20 million individuals aged 25 and under, paints a concerning picture of the mental well-being of French youth. Between 2016 and 2023, the rate of mental health visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions for antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics escalated dramatically, with the most significant uptick occurring after the pandemic’s onset.
Countries across Europe are grappling with similar challenges, as young people face rising levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and other mental health issues. In France, the numbers mirror these broader trends, with one in seven adolescents now struggling with mental health problems.
The study revealed stark gender differences in the mental health crisis. French teenage girls and young women are experiencing heightened distress, with increasing rates of outpatient psychiatric consultations and hospitalizations due to suicide attempts. Prescriptions for mental health medications have also surged among girls and young women, particularly following the pandemic.
Boys and young men have also seen increases in prescriptions for antidepressants and medications for ADHD, but these rises are not as pronounced. Researchers suggest that social media may play a significant role in these gendered trends. Compared to boys, girls tend to have more frequent social media usage, which can expose them to cyberbullying and stress, both of which are linked to higher risks of depression and suicide attempts.
Beyond the challenges posed by social media, France’s young people face serious barriers to mental health care access. A significant shortage of child psychiatrists – with numbers dropping by 34% between 2010 and 2022 – exacerbates the situation. Alex Quinn, policy officer at the European Youth Forum, pointed out the difficulties young people face in accessing timely mental health support, making it even harder to address the escalating crisis.
In response to the growing mental health challenges, the French government is taking steps to address the issue. Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, appointed by President Macron, emphasized the need for mental health to be a top priority in 2025, while the government is also experimenting with a smartphone ban in middle schools and supporting EU-wide social media restrictions for children under 15.
France is not alone in facing this mental health crisis. Studies across Europe indicate that the pandemic has left a lasting impact on youth mental health. In Denmark, rising psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic drug use have been observed, while in Spain, suicide attempts among adolescent girls surged by 195% between September 2020 and March 2021.
Researchers argue that beyond social media, factors such as economic instability, family dynamics, and the uncertainty of the future are also contributing to the mental health struggles faced by young people across Europe. Quinn noted that financial precarity and political instability may further increase vulnerability, particularly among youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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