Depression on the rise, satisfaction on the decline… French children and adolescents are not in good mental health. The goal of a plan is to target them better.
Young French people are doing badly. 10% of adolescents suffer from anxiety. Sleep disturbances, lack of self-confidence, depression… There is growing discomfort in this population. The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is well aware of this. On November 29, Marisol Touraine presented her action plan for the well-being and health of young people. The objective is clear: to improve the care, in particular psychological, of the population of 11-21 years.
An information site
The discomfort is real among young people. Only 30% of college students say they are satisfied with their school life. In addition, the proportion of children and adolescents followed in infant and juvenile psychiatry has increased by 22% since 2007. Once this has been established, solutions remain to be established. The plan presented by the Minister of Health delivers several with a timetable. It is oriented around four axes: identifying discomfort, increasing the feeling of listening, directing young people to a suitable professional and building a shared watch. The approach is therefore multidisciplinary.
“Targeting young people is not only effective from a health point of view, but it is also an imperative for social justice”, recalled Marisol Touraine. To achieve this, the Minister begins by setting a course on the net. Between 2016 and 2017, adolescents’ access to reliable information will be gradually ensured. A dedicated site will be created. In particular, it will offer directories, links to editorial sites, etc. all for a budget of over 4 million euros.
Improve mental health
The plan is mainly oriented towards the mental health of young people. From spring 2017, the Youth Health Pass will extend access to psychology consultations. Up to the age of 21, it will be possible to access a professional free of charge – always within the limit of 10 years. An organization will serve as a bridgehead: the adolescent houses. They must become more anchored in the territories, says the plan. The budget, so far modest, must increase, by a participation of the State and local authorities. A sum of 1.35 euros per inhabitant is enough to finance a house up to its needs, specifies the plan.
Education professionals are also targeted. In three academies, from the 2016-2017 school year, a permanent staff will be deployed. It will offer specialized external support when the establishments take care of young people in difficulty. The measure will gradually be generalized. A listening ear also presupposes awareness and training on the part of adults. Within National Education, a unique body of psychologists will be founded.
Deadlines and a precise budget: this seems promising for improving support for young people. But many of these measures are planned for the next five-year term.
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