13% of school children in France have probable mental health problems, according to the very first barometer on the mental well-being of 6-11 year olds carried out by Public Health France.
- The Enabee study, carried out by Public Health France, aims to produce hitherto missing or fragmented indicators on the mental health and well-being of children aged 3 to 11 years.
- The first barometer shows that 13% of school children have a probable mental health problem.
- The prevalence of probable emotional disorders was higher in girls, while behavioral disorders were more frequent in boys.
The health crisis linked to Covid-19 has raised awareness that children are not immune to mental health problems. Health professionals need tools to better understand and prevent them. In this context, Public Health France carried out the first national study on the well-being and mental health of school children in France. The results of this barometer called Enabee were presented on June 20, 2023.
More than 1 in 10 children suffer from probable mental disorders
Between May 2 and July 31, 2022, Public Health France interviewed more than 15,000 children aged 6 to 11, more than 15,000 teachers and 10,000 parents in nearly 400 schools in France. Analyzes have shown that 13% of children in elementary school have a probable mental health problem. In detail, among these young people:
- 5.6% have a probable emotional disorder: ie separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, specific phobias or depressive disorders;
- 6.6% display a probable oppositional disorder: for example a very angry/irritable mood, a quarrelsome/defiant behavior or a vindictive spirit which “go beyond the quarrels of siblings and persist for several months” ;
- 3.2% have an attention deficit disorder with or without probable hyperactivity: ADHD “significantly interferes with functioning or development and is observed in at least two different settings e.g. school and family”specifies Public Health France.
In addition, the level of well-being score declared by the children was estimated at 71/100. It also seems to increase with school level.
Children’s mental health: different disorders in girls and boys
Although no difference in the prevalence of mental health problems was observed according to school level, school sector or type of school (private or public), there seem to be differences between the sexes. Emotional disorders are more frequent in girls while boys were more affected by behavioral disorders [trouble oppositionnel probable et TDAH probable].
“Today, we are laying the first stone of this essential knowledge base for public action. The work of consultation with stakeholders in the field of health, education and the family, as well as the mobilization of our partners have created the momentum necessary to set up the study. Our next step will be to enrich and refine this knowledge”explained Dr Caroline Semaille, Director General of Public Health France, in a communicated.
Among other things, the organization plans to carry out a similar study on the mental disorders of children attending nursery school in the coming months. This work will be supplemented in 2024 by analyzes of the factors associated with mental health and well-being and the use of care. Deployment of the barometer to overseas territories is also planned.
