The parliamentary inquiry into the shortcomings of public policies regarding mental health and disability is due to release its findings this Wednesday, December 17. Its report, led by Socialist MP Sébastien Saint-Pasteur, paints a stark picture of the situation in France and highlights a rapid and profound decline in the mental health of the population, particularly among young people. The nearly 300-page document describes a systemic crisis that was insufficiently anticipated and poorly managed by public authorities. The report underscores a marked increase in mental disorders over the past two decades. The frequency of major depressive episodes has risen sharply across the adult population, from less than 8% in the mid-2000s to more than 13% in 2021. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, this rate now exceeds 20%. This trend is accompanied by a worrying increase in suicidal behavior, with a nearly 18% rise in the suicide rate for those under 24 between 2019 and 2022. Suicide attempts have increased particularly sharply among young women, a rise described as dramatic by the rapporteur. The identified causes are multiple and interconnected. The lasting impact of the Covid-19 health crisis, increased exposure to social media, academic and social tensions, as well as a general climate of uncertainty about the future, are cited as aggravating factors. The elderly also appear to be highly vulnerable, with a suicide rate significantly higher than the national average for those over 85, a reality that the report considers largely invisible in the public debate.
A major national cause with no tangible results
While mental health was designated a major national priority for 2025 and renewed for 2026, the report highlights the gap between political announcements and the reality of care. Access to care is considered particularly poor, especially in psychiatry, due to a structural shortage of professionals. Full-time hospitalization capacity has declined by more than 10% in ten years, while the availability of partial hospitalization is increasing too slowly to meet the growing demand. This situation, according to the report, leads to crisis management practices akin to a form of medicine under constant pressure. The stable number of psychiatrists and the shortage of psychologists in the public sector exacerbate these difficulties. Working conditions, unattractive salaries, and a lack of recognition contribute to limiting the appeal of these essential professions. The "My Mental Health Support" program, intended to facilitate access to reimbursed psychological support, is also criticized. Although it has facilitated the care of several hundred thousand patients since its inception, the report concludes that its actual effectiveness has not been demonstrated. Follow-up is often fragmented, the average number of sessions remains low, and the beneficiaries appear to be predominantly from privileged backgrounds, even though precarious living conditions are an aggravating factor for mental health disorders. The limited participation of private-practice psychologists reinforces the idea that this tool is insufficiently integrated into a comprehensive healthcare strategy.
Massive costs and governance deemed inadequate
Beyond the human stakes, the report emphasizes the economic burden of mental health. Spending related to psychiatric illnesses and psychotropic medications reaches nearly €28 billion annually, a sharp increase since 2019. Including indirect costs, such as lost productivity and a decline in quality of life, the overall impact far exceeds €150 billion. In light of this, the report calls for an overhaul of public governance, with systematic evaluation of implemented policies. It recommends better coordination of existing systems, increased investment in prevention from childhood, and more coherent care pathways for both mental health and disability. Without structural change, the member of parliament believes that current policies will continue to be piecemeal, failing to provide an adequate response to a crisis that is now clearly documented.
