Mental disorders: the hidden face of connected teenagers

Since 2020, the WHO has noted a two- to three-fold increase in the number of cases of mental disorders among young people worldwide. "In the clinics where I work, the number of requests concerning adolescents has doubled or even tripled," reports Dr Frédéric Kochman, a child psychiatrist and coordinator of the medical team at the Lautréamont clinic in Loos (Nord). 

In France, the Centres Médico-Psychologiques (medical-psychological centers), which play an important role in the care of young people in distress, are saturated. Waiting times for suicidal teenagers can be as long as 2 years.
The health crisis and successive confinements have weakened the emotional and psychological balance of young people. For the most vulnerable, these periods of forced isolation have led to a fear of the outside world, also known as "cabin syndrome". Added to this was the general anxiety linked to the pandemic, an anxiety-inducing climate that was extremely destabilising for the most vulnerable.

Some initiatives, such as the ban on smartphones in the classroom adopted in a quarter of countries worldwide² , have not had the desired results, according to the OECD³. "The challenge is not to turn back the clock, but to reorganise everyday life to create more opportunities for sharing with family and friends," recommends Dr Kochman.

Rather than banning the use of social networks, the aim should be to promote more responsible use. "At our clinic, patients only have access to their phones for two hours a day. During the rest of the time, they rediscover activities such as sport, karaoke or board games. We also run therapeutic discussion groups called 'Reconnect' to help them take a step back from the dangers of using social networks," explains the child psychiatrist. The real challenge is to convince young people to  a step back from the harmful effects of these networks and, above all, to diversify their activities and leisure pursuits.

When adults notice a significant change in a young person's behaviour at school, at home or in social life, they need to be very vigilant. For example, a drop in school results, aggressiveness (or self-aggressiveness at home) or a lack of interest in groups of friends can be warning signs of depression. "First and foremost, I encourage parents to talk to their child about it. They're more likely to confide in you during a car journey - provided they take off their helmet - than in the middle of the living room, advises Dr Kochman. If you still have doubts, ask your family doctor for advice, so that he can refer your child to a psychologist if necessary."