Health · Public Health & Disease · 9 hrs ago
France's public health chief warns youth mental health is worsening
France's public health chief says mental health among 11- to 17-year-olds is worsening, with the decline accelerating since the Covid pandemic.
The trend is seen in France and around the world, and Pot says it affects girls more specifically.
Studies show more young people have suicidal thoughts, anxiety and mood disorders, while nearly one in five high school students has depressive thoughts.
Pot says school pressure, social media, screens and experiences of gender-based and sexual violence may all contribute.
He also says the mental health effects of an exceptionally hot summer need to be measured.
Pot calls improving young people's mental health a shared responsibility for families, health professionals and society.
Young people in distress can contact France's free, confidential 3114 suicide prevention line or Fil Santé Jeunes.
France’s public health chief says the mental health of young people aged 11 to 17 is worsening, with the decline accelerating since the Covid pandemic.
Etienne Pot says the trend is seen in France and internationally and is especially affecting girls.
Studies show increases in suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders and mood disorders among young people, he says.
He cites school pressure, social media, screen use, violence and the wider context young people face as contributing concerns.
Pot says improving young people’s mental health is a collective responsibility and urges people in distress to seek help.
- Who
- Etienne Pot, director general of Santé publique France, raised the warning.
- What
- He said the mental health of 11- to 17-year-olds is worsening and the decline has accelerated since the Covid pandemic.
- When
- He spoke on Monday, 9 November 2026.
- Where
- In an interview with franceinfo in France.
- Why
- Pot cited school pressure, social media, screen use, violence and the wider context young people face as concerns; he said the reasons for the worsening trend need to be understood.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pot said France had come through an unprecedented summer and that its effects on mental health should be measured.
A national education survey reported that 34% of CE2, CM1 and CM2 pupils said they had experienced at least one form of sexual violence at school.
Pot warned in an interview with franceinfo that young people’s mental health was worsening, with the decline accelerating since the post-Covid period.
- Age group
- 11–17-year-olds
- Affected group
- The deterioration affects girls more specifically, Pot said.
- High school
- Nearly one young person in five has depressive thoughts.
- School violence survey
- 34% of CE2, CM1 and CM2 pupils reported at least one form of sexual violence at school.
- Support line
- 3114, France’s free and confidential national suicide prevention number.
What people are saying
The mental health of young people is deteriorating and we are seeing an acceleration of this deterioration since the post-Covid period
This underlying trend should alert us
At high school, nearly one young person in five has depressive thoughts
It is not normal for young people’s mental health to deteriorate