Young people in France face lasting mental health issues

On March 17, 2020, France began its first nationwide lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19. This lockdown led to two months of strict measures, including mandatory masks, curfews, and closed universities. Young people faced significant challenges during this time, and the effects have lingered. Five years later, Maya, a 24-year-old in Paris, reflects on her experiences. She is grateful to be out and about again but remembers feeling isolated during the lockdown. Maya's mother worked in health care and brought home worrying news daily. After the lockdown, Maya struggled with depression, feeling unmotivated and detached from life. Now, she embraces social outings to regain the youth she feels was lost. In contrast, 28-year-old Élisa feels more anxious about the outside world after the lockdown. While she prefers the comfort of her home, her anxiety increases when facing social situations, like grocery shopping or meeting new people. She notes that even simple tasks can feel overwhelming, which frustrates her as a young person in Paris. A recent study of 20 million young people in France shows a significant rise in mental health issues since the pandemic. Young people, especially women, are seeking more mental health support than before. Researchers say the lockdown has contributed to this decline, but other factors are also at play. Issues like social media pressures, eco-anxiety, and global political concerns are adding to the stress faced by today’s youth. Experts like Melissa Macalli from the French National Institute of Health stress that multiple causes have affected young people's mental health. They emphasize the need to address both the impacts of the pandemic and ongoing societal challenges.