The consumption of antidepressants among French children and teenagers increased by 62% in the last seven years. A recent study by the French High Council for the Family, Childhood and Age revealed a dizzying increase in the consumption of antidepressants between 2014 and 2021 among children and teenagers in the country. Use of other psychotropic drugs have increased significantly, too: 48% for antipsychotics, 78% for psychostimulants, and up to 155% for hypnotics and sedatives. This means that over 5% of the youth population in France is prescribed drugs to cure depression. The number of children in psychological distress is increasing in the country; YPulse has also recently informed you that the number of French Gen Z who is depressed has doubled in five years. But, in turn, mental health is becoming increasingly important among young Europeans. (RadioFrance)
