Mental Health and Well-being Among Middle and High School Students in Mainland France: Results of the National Survey on Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Middle and High Schools – EnCLASS 2022

The National Survey on Adolescent Health and Substance Use in Middle and High Schools (EnCLASS) is an anonymous survey based on a self-administered online questionnaire. The 2022 data collection took place in 147 middle schools and 90 high schools in mainland France, involving 11,886 students. The indicators analyzed in this publication concern perceptions and attitudes toward mental health, mental disorders, and the well-being of middle and high school students. The key findings are as follows: The majority of middle and high school students perceive themselves as being in good health and are satisfied with their current lives. 59% of middle school students and 51% of high school students report a good level of mental well-being; 21% of middle school students and 27% of high school students report feeling lonely; 51% of middle school students and 58% of high school students experience recurring somatic and/or psychological complaints; 14% of middle school students and 15% of high school students are at high risk for depression; 24% of high school students report having had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months, 13% report having attempted suicide at some point in their lives, and approximately 3% report an attempt that resulted in hospitalization; students’ mental health and well-being deteriorate during middle school and do not improve in high school; overall, girls have poorer mental health and lower levels of well-being than boys; over the 2018–2022 period, middle and high school students experienced a decline in their mental health and well-being, which was more pronounced among girls.

Author(s): Léon Christophe, Godeau Emmanuelle, Spilka Stanislas, Gillaizeau Ingrid

Publishing year: 2024

Pages: 17 p.

Collection: An update on

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey