Measured during the health crisis, the indicators do not, however, make it possible to estimate a possible impact of Covid-19, in the absence of data prior to the crisis on this age group.
Among school children aged 6 to 11, 13% have at least one probable mental health disorder, reveals the first national study on the subject, published on Tuesday June 20 by Public Health France.
Until then, data on the well-being of children was old or fragmented. However, the Covid-19 health crisis has highlighted the need to develop monitoring of the prevalence of mental health among the youngest. The “Enabee” study was conducted in mainland France from May 2 to July 31, 2022 using specific questionnaires with more than 15,000 children and teachers in nearly 400 schools, as well as 10,000 parents.
Main lesson: 13% of children aged 6 to 11 have at least one probable mental health problem. This is a prevalence rate of the same order as those observed in other European countries in the same age group. “The majority of children only suffer from one disorder, but some can combine several”commented to AFP Nolwenn Regnault, head of the perinatal, early childhood and mental health unit at SPF.
“Emotional Disorder” and “Oppositional Disorder”
In detail, 5.6% of children have a “probable emotional disorder”, either an anxiety disorder (separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, specific phobias) or depression. Some 6.6% of children have a “probable oppositional disorder” (a particularly angry mood, quarrelsome or defiant behavior). Finally, 3.2% have probable persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Probable emotional disorders are more frequent in girls, behavioral disorders more frequent in boys. The data do not show any differences according to school level and school sector (public schools outside the priority education networks (REP) and private schools versus REP or REP+ public schools).
A “first step”
Measured during the health crisis, the indicators do not make it possible to estimate a possible impact of Covid-19, in the absence of data prior to the crisis on this age group. It’s about a “first stage” which makes it possible to bring “lighting up public decision-makers for future awareness-raising actions”commented Stéphanie Monnier-Besnard, epidemiologist and project manager of the Enabee study.
Repeated regularly, the study will make it possible to follow the evolution of the indicators, to evaluate the impact of possible events (infectious, environmental, etc.), to initiate preventive actions.