1 out of 4 high school girls already wanted to die. the mental health of girls is affected more than the mental health of boys.

Adolescence is a period that is likely to make young people vulnerable in terms of mental health, and this is more so for girls, who have lower levels of well-being than boys. Here is the conclusion of the EnCLASS survey conducted in 2022 among 9,337 French middle and high school students, conducted in collaboration by the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health (EHESP) and the French Observatory on Drug and Addiction Trends (OFDT). National education (1). This work aims to assess the mental health of young people, particularly in comparison to previous publications. The results, which have appeared online since April 9 on the Public Health France website, show that between 2018 and 2022, the well-being and mental health of adolescents worsened.

1 in 4 high school girls have already wanted to die

While the majority of young respondents consider themselves to be in good health and say they are satisfied with their current lives, almost half of them are not actually in good mental well-being, according to the Psychological Well-Being Index. World Health Organization (WHO).

From middle school to high school, regardless of educational level, girls are generally more likely to suffer from poor mental health. If the risk of depression concerns 14% of middle school students in 4^e and 3^e and at 15% of high school students, the gap between girls and boys is significant. “Girls are three times more affected than boys in middle school and twice as likely in high school,” the survey shows. 21.4% versus 6.9% in middle school and 22.7% versus 8.0% in high school.” Specifically, the authors looked at three depressive symptoms: lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness, and difficulty thinking. Whatever the symptom, girls are systematically more affected than boys.

More alarmingly, one in four middle school girls say they’ve already wanted to die, compared to one in 10 young boys. Researchers have clearly observed the suicidal behavior of high school students. 30.9% of girls say they have had suicidal thoughts. during the last 12 months. Among boys, they made 17.4 percent. “In their lifetime, 12.9% of high school students surveyed reported a suicide attempt, with twice the proportion of girls (17.4% compared to 8.4% of boys),” it can also be read.

Speaking of mental health

The investigation also highlights psychosomatic complaints among middle and high school students. Among the most common symptoms we notice difficulty sleeping, nervousness, irritability or even back pain. “All complaints are reported more often by girls than boys,” the authors report once again.

While the survey doesn’t provide an explanation for the gap in mental wellbeing between girls and boys, these results do highlight the need to educate teenagers “about the importance of mental health to overall health, as well as ways to take care of yourself”. mental health”, we read in summary. Therefore, it is urgent to “normalize conversations about your mental health with those around you or with a healthcare professional,” the authors advise. And remember, if you’re having suicidal thoughts, for yourself or a loved one, you can call 3114, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, free, confidential and available 24/7.

(1) The survey took place in 147 middle and 90 high schools in mainland France. A total of 5,919 middle school students (mean age 12.9 years) and 3,418 high school students (mean age 16.5 years) responded to an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire.