“Youth is an impetus.
However, for a year, this momentum has been mowed down by the bad news linked to the health crisis, by isolation and an uncertain future ", summarizes Fatma Bouvet de la Maisonneuve, psychiatrist and author of" Children and parents in suffering ", editions Odile Jacob.
While only 46% of young people say they are informed about support structures, how can they get out of this spiral?
Parents, how to perceive this distress?
The pronounced isolation, a young person who no longer dines with his parents, who avoids meeting them, ”is a sign of distress, notes Fatma Bouvet de la Maisonneuve.
Who recognizes that it is "very complicated" to notice this state, because by definition, the psychological evolution of 15-25 years is "disturbing" and resides in fact in the estrangement of the parents.
Another indicator: "Clothing and bodily neglect" and "general sad mood".
"He no longer sees his friends, moves away from them: it is the beginning of a danger because social relations are the way not to sink," she continues.
Also, excessive consumption of tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, should allow the problem to be detected.
“If the child lives at home, it's easy to see it,” says the expert.
Finally, scrutinizing the teen's social networks can provide information.
“A lot of things happen on Instagram: a simple hashtag can sometimes hide… a cry for help.
"
Family, friends and toll-free numbers.
"Once we have detected this distress, talking about it is the first thing to do," explains Marie-Odile Krebs, head of department at Sainte-Anne hospital, who heads the C'JAAD (Assessment Center for young adults and adolescents).
Family and friends "must remain the first resort", believes the professional.
There are also listening platforms, which “are the first step towards consulting a specialist”.
For example, in Île-de-France, the region is launching “Ecouteétudiants” (ecouteetudiants-iledefrance.fr) aimed at more than 700,000 students in the Paris region.
It allows three things: self-assess your level of distress, advice to get better and access to three free consultations with a shrink.
In the same vein, the student association Nightline (nightline.com) is available by chat or phone, for students from Paris, Lille, Lyon, and Saclay, from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
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For non-students, Fil santé jeunes (08.00.23.52.36) is valid throughout the country.
"It is very useful in rural areas where there are few professionals," notes our expert.
During confinement, the ARS also launched the number “Psy Île-de-France” (01.48.00.48.00), attached to the Sainte-Anne hospital, dedicated to those who are worried about a loved one.
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For parents, the React association, created in connection with the Montpellier University Hospital and reachable via contact@association-react.com, organizes support videoconferences for mothers and fathers in difficulty with their offspring.
"The distress of young people can result in aggression towards them, which is harmful to everyone," notes Fatma Bouvet de Maisonneuve.
The shrink, real solution ... but expensive.
Beyond the phone calls, the real solution "remains to consult a professional", recalls our psychiatrist.
“It is useful to start with a visit to the family's general practitioner, who knows the young person well and will then refer, adds Marie-Christine Krebs.
But taking a teenager to the shrink remains a challenge!
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Especially since a consultation has a price: between 50 euros and 70 euros.
Too expensive for young adults who have not necessarily entered the workforce, many of whom, students, have lost their jobs.
A week ago, Emmanuel Macron promised to set up, in early February, a "psychological support check" to fund two to three consultations with a shrink.
And, more indirectly, financial insecurity being a gateway to distress, in the opinion of all, meals at CROUS are now billed at 1 euro, twice a day.