Anxiety, angry mood, attention disorders… Symptoms that children suffering from mental health problems experience on a daily basis. According to the Enabee study conducted by Santé Publique France, the first of its kind, presented on Tuesday June 20, 13% of 6-11 year olds would suffer from at least one mental disorder.
Read also: Mental health of children: “ there is an emergencywe can no longer ignore it”
This cross-sectional study crosses data collected at the end of the 2021-2022 school year from more than 15,000 children and teachers in almost 400 schoolsas well as 10,000 parents.
3.2% of children suffer from ADHD
These figures appear to be similar in other European countries, in the same age group. “We are not surprised, but the figures are large enough to raise questions about this topic, for which we have had no data so far”commented Stephanie Monnier-Besnardepidemiologist and project manager of the Enabee study.
The survey says so 5.6% of school-age children have a “ probable emotional disturbance”, an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, or a depressive disorder. Other significant data: 6.6% children present a “probable oppositional disorder” manifest itself in a particularly angry mood, quarrelsome or defiant behavior. Finally, 3.2% show likely persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Already last March a report by the Court of Auditors highlighted the lack of data on the number of children and adolescents without treatment: “Out of 1.6 million children and adolescents suffering from mental disorders, 750,000 to 850,000 benefit from care provided in child psychiatry by specialized professionals”advised the specialists of our colleagues of the World.
An impact of the health crisis?
The Enabee study, carried out while the health crisis was still ongoing, does not allow establishing a cause and effect link between Covid-19 and these data, since no previous data are available. But another survey also published this Tuesday June 20 from Orders (Department of Statistics of the Ministry of Health), shows for its part that the psychological distress of a growing minority of children and adolescents has been aggravated by this crisis.
According to this latest study, between March 2020 and July 2021, 12% of boys from 3 to 17 years e 13% of girls consulted a health professional for a psychological reason. Only 7% of boys and 6% of girls had previously consulted.
But taking into account children who have not consulted a psychologist or psychiatrist, but whose parents believe they need help, these are 15% of them who would need treatment for these reasons, the study adds. Or close toone in six children.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
