Three questions about the Public Health France study, which reveals that more than one in ten children suffer from a mental health disorder

This is the first national study of its kind. While the effects of the health crisis on the mental health of young adults and adolescents have been abundantly documented, data concerning children was still lacking until now. This is no longer the case: Public Health France published, on Tuesday June 20, a national study on the well-being and mental health of children aged 6 to 11, enrolled in elementary school, from CP to CM2. .

This survey, called Enabee (for “National study on the well-being of children”) uses data collected between May 2 and July 31, 2022 from more than 15,000 children. The researchers also gathered information from those around these little ones, that is to say from more than 15,000 teachers in nearly 400 schools, as well as 10,000 parents.

1 What does this study tell us?

Thanks to the questionnaires completed by different populations (parents, teachers and children), the Enabee study finds that 13% of 6-11 year olds present “at least one probable mental health disorder”. Public Health France specifies that it is“epidemiological estimates, not diagnoses whose confirmation should be made by a clinician in the context of individual care”.

In detail, 5.6% of children have a “probable emotional disorder”, which can be an anxiety disorder (separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, specific phobias) or depressive. Some 6.6% of children have a “probable oppositional disorder” (a particularly angry mood, persistent quarrelsome or defiant behavior). Finally, 3.2% show a probable persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

According to the study, the probable anxious or depressive emotional disorders are more frequent in girls (6.6%), than boys (4.6%). On the other hand, behavioral disorders (probable oppositional disorder and probable ADHD) are more often observed in boys (15.3% against 10.6% in girls).

These results reflect a prevalence rate of the same order as those observed in other European countries in the same age group. “We are not surprised, but the numbers are large enough to raise questions about this subject, for which we have had no data until now”commented to AFP Stéphanie Monnier-Besnard, epidemiologist and project manager of the Enabee study.

2 What will these results be used for?

This Enabee study is epidemiologically useful. Repeated at regular intervals, it will make it possible to follow the evolution of the indicators over time, and to assess the consequences of possible events (infectious, environmental, etc.) on the mental health and well-being of the youngest.

Thus, this survey gives “a very useful picture of the current situation”, underlines to AFP Richard Delorme, head of the child psychiatry department at the Robert-Debré hospital (AP-HP). Those data “goals” should make it possible, he hopes, to initiate prevention policies: “One in ten children is affected, we have to put the package.”

“Often, we say to ourselves that a child under 11 cannot be depressed or that only part of the population is concerned: this is false.”

Richard Delorme, head of the child psychiatry department at Robert-Debré hospital

at AFP

It’s about a “first stage” which makes it possible to bring “lighting up public decision-makers for future awareness-raising actions”said Stéphanie Monnier-Besnard.

These results will also be useful from a public health perspective. Indeed, they should give rise to prevention and health promotion actions with a view to creating environments conducive to the development of children. “Our next step will be to enrich and refine this knowledge”explains Caroline Semaille, director general of Public Health France, on the agency’s website.

3 What are the limitations of this study?

In the absence of data on the mental health of children attending school from CP to CM2 before the health crisis, it is impossible to compare the situation before and after the appearance of Covid-19. In addition, data on children attending kindergarten will only be available in the coming months, and completed in 2024 with analyzes of factors associated with mental health and well-being, as well as health care utilization. Finally, deployment of the study to overseas territories is also planned.

While the data analyzed so far does not highlight any major differences according to school level and category of schools (REP/REP+ or non-REP), the agency explains that many additional analyzes still need to be carried out, in particular to take into account other factors relating to the child’s living environment, his health or that of his parents.