In its latest epidemiological bulletin based on the 2021 Health Barometer published on February 5, Santé Publique France alert on the “the deterioration of the youth mental health adults”. As a reminder, mental health is an essential element to staying healthy. This is a “a state of well-being that enables everyone to realize their potential, to cope with the normal difficulties of life, to work successfully and productively, and to be able to make a contribution to the community”, as defined by Santé Publique France.
Of the entire population aged 18-85, 4.2% said they had thought about committing suicide in the last 12 months, while 6.8% of young people declared a suicide attempt during their lifetime. On a European scale, “France has one of the highest suicide rates among European countries”underline the authors.
Suicidal thoughts more than doubled since 2014 among 18-24 year olds
This study, published in the weekly epidemiological bulletin (BEH) of February 5, 2024, looked at the Mental Health of 24,514 people aged 18 to 85 and residing in mainland France and 6,519 people residing in the overseas departments and regions (DROM), during the year 2021. The responses were collected using a telephone questionnaire.
The authors of the barometer found that “4.2% of 18-85 year olds declared to have thought about committing suicide during last 12 months”. In addition, 6.8% reported a suicide attempt during their lifetime, including 0.5% during the previous year. However, “developments different from the rest of the population were, however, observed among young adults aged 18 to 24”underline the authors.
Indeed, the prevalence of suicidal thoughts has increased sharply in recent years among young adults. As the authors point out, “THE suicidal thoughts were thus multiplied by more than two since 2014 among 18-24 year olds (going from 3.3% to 7.2% in 2021)”. As for suicide attempts declared during their lifetime, they increase by 50% compared to 2017, going from 6.1% to 9.2% in 2021 and “those declared over the last 12 months, by more than 60%, going from 0.7% in 2017 to 1.1% in 2021”.
4.2% of 18-85 year olds say they have thought about committing suicide in the last 12 months
In the 18/24 age group, “the women presented a significant increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts”. 9,4% having had suicidal thoughts, 12,8% having already made a tentative de suicide during their life, including 2% over the past year. The deterioration of the mental health of young adults is not new and these figures are part of a “increased psychological vulnerability of young adults since the health crisis”.
These figures are published while the Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he wanted “make the mental health of our youth a major cause of government action”, during his general policy declaration, Tuesday January 30, to the National Assembly. The latter underlined the importance of an overhaul of the system “My psychological support”, which offers the reimbursement for consultations with a psychologist.
In case of suicidal thoughts, it is possible to call SOS Amitié: 09.72.39.40.50 (available 24:24 – 7 days a week).
Sources :
- Weekly epidemiological bulletin, February 5, 2024, n°3 – Public Health France
- Mental health – Public Health France
