Inserm researchers recently developed an application aimed at assessing anxiety and depression problems among young people aged 11 to 24.
- The Mentalo application aims to understand and improve the mental health of 11-24 year olds, affected by an increase in anxiety and depressive disorders.
- Co-created with young people, it offers anonymous questionnaires adapted to their needs, integrating themes such as screen use and sleep.
- Since its launch last May, results show that a third of participants present moderate or severe risks of discomfort, often exacerbated by isolation.
Faced with a worrying increase in anxiety and depressive disorders among 11-24 year olds, the Mentalo application offers an innovative and participatory approach to better understand and prevent these problems. Developed with the direct contribution of young people, this tool aims to meet their needs in a fun way, while respecting their privacy. Eight months after its launch last May, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) takes stock on adolescent mental health.
The well-being of young people is deteriorating
The online survey behind Mentaloled by Karine Chevreul, public health doctor, involved more than 300 young people in creating the questions. These made it possible to integrate themes that are important to them: differentiation of emotions, impact of digital uses, importance of sleep… Enough to enrich the initial questionnaire with four questions assessing depression and anxiety (PHQ-4), supplemented by modules adapted to the realities of young people.
Accessible on most screens, the application allows participants to respond anonymously and at their own pace. Each young person is followed for a year, with seven questionnaires to be completed in five minutes. The objective is to better understand the factors influencing their mental well-being.
However, the situation is more worrying than ever: one in three young people is at moderate or severe risk of anxiety-depression, and one in seven suffers from significant emotional distress. Unfortunately, only 50% dare to talk about it and 25% never bring up the subject, often out of shame.
Another striking observation concerns loneliness: half of young people declare themselves isolated, a situation aggravated by excessive use of screens (more than five hours a day for a quarter of the participants). Sporting and cultural activities nevertheless appear to be protective factors.
Towards personalized support for adolescents
Mentalo aims to normalize discussions about mental health and offer possible solutions. Its next evolution, called Mental Plus, will offer a complete mental health assessment and personalized recommendations. This approach is inspired by physical coaching, but applied to mental health.
For Karine Chevreul, Mental Plus will help young people to “strengthen their well-being independently or direct them towards care structures if necessary”. A tool that is all the more crucial in a context where access to care remains unequal. With initiatives like Mentalo and other European projects, young people’s mental health could finally get the support it deserves, she believes.
