A new report has revealed that France had the highest pre-pandemic depression rates among European countries, highlighting a growing mental health crisis exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19.
According to an analysis from the French Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (DREES), nearly 11% of the French population suffered from depressive symptoms in 2019, the highest prevalence among the nations surveyed in the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS).
The analysis, based on data from the 2019 EHIS, examined responses from around 300,000 individuals across the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Serbia. This survey, conducted every six years, is one of the most comprehensive studies on the health and well-being of Europeans.
The DREES report marks the first time data from the 2019 survey was used to assess depression levels, using an eight-question format from the Patient Health Questionnaire to identify depressive syndromes.
The study focused on whether individuals had experienced symptoms of depression in the past two weeks, such as feelings of hopelessness, low energy, and disinterest in daily activities.
While France’s pre-pandemic depression rates were high, experts believe that the nation’s mental health challenges have only worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multiple studies have documented a growing mental health crisis in Europe, with particular concerns about young people, who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic’s isolation and social disruption.
This report also highlighted a sharp increase in depression levels among young people aged 15 to 24, as well as older adults aged 70 and above.
Jocelyne Caboche, an emeritus research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research’s (CNRS) Neuroscience Sorbonne University lab, noted that France’s relatively high depression rates could be attributed to a combination of factors, although she did not offer a single explanation.
“While we are relatively well taken care of in terms of health and education, there still needs to be significant efforts made in caring for the elderly,” she told Euronews Health.
Caboche emphasized the need for better investment in mental health services, especially for the elderly, as well as more innovative psychiatric treatments.
She explained that mental health challenges in France may have accumulated over time due to various societal pressures, including financial strain, social isolation, and insufficient mental health resources.
The report also pointed out that while depression rates in younger people have been climbing, elderly individuals are facing a different set of challenges.
Isolation, loss of mobility, and limited access to mental health support contribute to higher depression rates among those aged 70 and up.
The growing mental health crisis among both young and old underscores the urgent need for more targeted interventions, such as improved access to therapy, better healthcare infrastructure, and enhanced social support systems.
As France grapples with these mental health challenges, the report urges policymakers to take immediate action.
The government has been urged to increase funding for mental health services and prioritize the mental well-being of its citizens, particularly in light of the ongoing pressures stemming from the pandemic.
With the mental health crisis showing no signs of abating, the new DREES report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of investing in mental health care and addressing the underlying causes of depression in society.
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