Depression, loneliness: a survey warns of a “clear deterioration” in mental health in middle and high school, especially among girls: Femme Actuelle Le MAG

Loneliness, risk of depression, psychological complaints, etc. What is the state of the mental health of middle and high school students? To this question, Public Health France publishes the results of the national survey of middle and high schools carried out on health and substances, abbreviated “EnCLASS”. If 8 out of 10 adolescents perceive themselves to be in good health, the authors observe “a significant proportion of young people presenting a risk of depression and reporting a feeling of loneliness, psychological and/or somatic complaints or suicidal thoughts”.

More than half of young people present nervousness, irritability and difficulty falling asleep

To arrive at these results, the researchers based themselves on a panel of 9,337 students enrolled in mainland France. In detail, this represented 5,919 middle school students and 3,418 high school students spread across 147 middle schools and 90 high schools in mainland France. The data was collected during the year 2022. The adolescents had to answer an online questionnaire, each question being adapted to the level of the students. Different indicators were measured such as perception of one’s health, mental well-being, and the feeling of loneliness felt over the last 12 months. Likewise, questions measured depressive symptoms, suicidal behavior or even the psychological and somatic complaints experienced.

The authors of the study note “contrasting results”. Indeed, if “the vast majority of middle and high school students perceive themselves to be in good health (86% of middle school students and 84% of high school students)”, only half of respondents have a good level of mental health, according to the WHO mental well-being index. In addition, specialists emphasize “a clear deterioration in their mental health and their well-being between 2018 and 2022”, girls being more affected than boys. According to the authors, more than half of the young people surveyed experience nervousness, irritability and difficulty falling asleep at least once a week.

Risk of depression: 14% of college students would be affected

Generally, “a little more than half of the students surveyed present a good level of mental well-being”, but this level “decreases rapidly with progress in schooling”. Researchers note that nearly 7 out of 10 middle school students in 6th grade believe they have a good level of mental well-being, compared to half of 3rd grade students. Moreover, “21% of middle school students and 27% of high school students report a feeling of loneliness“note the experts.

Among mental health disorders, “THE significant risk depression appears quite common”. According to the results, these are 14% of middle school students And 15% of high school students who would be affected. Experts insist that “girls are three times more affected than boys in middle school and twice as many in high school.” As for suicidal thoughts over the last 12 months, the results show an increase among adolescents compared to 2018 estimates.

The mental health of girls would be more impacted than that of boys

In their conclusions, the authors emphasize that the news of recent years, namely the Covid-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, attacks, the climate crisis, can be risk factors for mental health, as well as academic pressure or even the risks linked to the internet and the use of social networks.

The authors point out that “adolescence is a pivotal period where educational and professional development as well as social integration are at stake and during which a deterioration of mental health may have negative effects on future mental health”. Also, they call for better communication around the importance of mental health for young people.

As a reminder, if you suffer from mental health disorders, Public Health France reminds that it is possible to contact the Youth Health Thread, (0.800.235.236) a free helpline accessible every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition, it is possible to dial 3114, national suicide prevention number.

Sources:

• Mental health and well-being of adolescents: publication of a survey carried out among middle and high school students (press release)
• Mental health and well-being of middle and high school students in mainland France – Results of the EnCLASS 2022 survey – Public Health France