“We will have to do a huge amount of work on mental health, which has been deteriorating since Covid,” said Gwen Thomas Alves, president of a high school union.

Gwen Thomas Alves, president of the FIDL, a high school union, says she reacted “with great sadness” to the assassination of a French teacher in Arras, Friday October 13. “CThis is a despicable act. (…) The Gambetta high school in Arras was not known for any problem, so one might have the impression that it could be in all high schools in France. That’s why it’s a terrible event.”, comments Gwen Thomas Alves. He hopes on behalf of his union “Monday, a minute of silence in all high schools [et écoles] of France”.

The issue of mental health

Faced with the feeling of “general fear“, he insists on the importance of “f“We are doing a huge amount of work on mental health, which is actually deteriorating since Covid.”

“Especially with this return to school where there is an increase in cases of school phobia, which risks once again increasing,” specifies the trade unionist. “(…) There are a lot of bomb threats in schools, in 94, in Marseille, etc. This does not give a feeling of peace, (…) even though it is supposed to be a refuge for certain students, for whom sometimes at home, things don’t go very well”continues Gwen Thomas Alves. “Today, this feeling is broken. This is why we will have to make a huge plan on the mental health side,” he concludes.