France Struggles with High Prevalence of Depression Among Young and Old

PARIS, FRANCE - A new analysis by France's health and social ministries (DREES) has found that the country had the highest pre-pandemic depression level among European countries.

The study, which analyzed data from over 300,000 people across Europe, uncovered a concerning trend: around 11 per cent of French adults suffered from major depressive episodes before the COVID-19 pandemic. This rate was significantly higher than any other European nation.

The research, based on the 2019 European Health Interview Survey, used standardized criteria to measure depression prevalence and focused on two groups: young people aged 15-24 and older individuals over 70.

According to Dr. Lisa Troy, author of the study, France's relatively high level of depression in this age group may be attributed to a combination of factors, including "accumulation of elements" that impact mental health.

"While we are relatively well taken care of in terms of education and health, there is still significant work to be done to improve support for seniors," Dr. Jocelyne Caboche noted, an expert at the French National Centre for Scientific Research's (CNRS) Neuroscience Sorbonne University lab.

Caboche, who was not involved in the study, suggested that investing more in psychiatry and therapeutic innovation could help alleviate depression.

The report revealed varying depression rates across European countries, with northern and western nations showing significantly higher rates than southern and eastern regions. Older Europeans in poor health were also found to be more prone to depression.

Furthermore, social isolation, widowhood, and poor health among older individuals appeared to increase the risk of depression.

Among young people, higher levels of depression were linked to social isolation, a lack of professional activity or education, and low income levels.

The study also highlighted the role of social media in promoting mental health concerns, such as body image issues and cyber-harassment.

With these findings, the French government has an opportunity to tackle increasing rates of depression across its population, particularly among young and vulnerable populations.