The latest data published by Public Health France highlight an alarming problem that affects our society: mental health. Following the Pandemic of Covid-19, we are witnessing an increase in depressive disorders and suicidal gestures and ideas.[1]
The two phenomena indifferently affect both sexes, in very different proportions and consequences.
The disparities
Thus, the health barometer 2021[1] Honest that women are particularly vulnerable to episodes depressives characterized (EDC), with a rate of 17 % over 12 months against 10 % among men. This increase is still plus concern among young adults : More than one in 4-24 years old, thus reports an EDC in the year (compared to around one in 7).
These figures highlight mental suffering that deserves our collective attention.
In the world of workwomen represent 49 % of the active population, with a psychic suffering linked to the work which concerns 6 % of them against 3 % for men[1]. Investigations[1.2] mainly report disorders anxious and depressed Linked to “managerial and relational” factors, feelings of overload, psychological pressure, the lack of room for maneuver, lack of recognition, without forgetting the problems of violence in a professional environment. These suffering at work can promote suicidal behavior[1.3].
Suicide: a scourge always relevant
Suicide represents still nearly 10,000 deaths in France and 200,000 suicide attempts per year, or almost 28 deaths daily. [3]
THE men are the more affectedwith a suicide rate of 20.4 per 100,000 inhabitantswhile the rate for Femmes is 6,2 pour 100 000.[3]
The high rate of suicide in men is often attributed to societal perceptions, a reflection of increased difficulty in asking for help and expressing their distress. Indeed, theImage of masculinity can dissuade men from seeking help, faced with mental suffering, considering vulnerability as a weakness[5]. This representation contributes to a undervaluation and subcontracting of their psychic suffering.
Nevertheless, the number of suicide attempts is higher in womenwith 110,000 attempts estimated each year. It appears that women have a upper stressr to men[2]. Different factors intervene in particular the fact that it is more vigilant on health problems and that they experience a set of paradoxical injunctions[4] (contradictory requirements or conflict of values). Thus emphasizing the mental health challenges that are their own.
The suicide rate remains in France One of the highest in Europe with 13.4 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants, for a European average of 10.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.[3]
Mental health has deteriorated in France and in the world of work, this evolution, in an anxiety -provoking societal context, risks continuing.
Act to change things
Faced with this worrying reality, it is imperative that each of us becomes an actor of change.
UNSA education calls for negotiations on the quality of life and working conditions of staff which must result in concrete measures to improve working conditions.
Our ministries must allow an organization of work which promotes a balance between professional life and personal life, with a culture focused on the recognition and respect for everyone’s capacities, taking care to maintain an adequate workload.
The prevention of burnout and suicide linked to work must be an absolute priority. In order to carry out this essential site, it is imperative that an extreme vigilance is provided to the reports of psycho-social risks (RPS) and that solutions are provided.
-Unsa Education claims to create a suicidal risk prevention plan, incorporating concrete primary, secondary and tertiary prevention actions. Each ministry must mobilize the resources necessary to identify the suffering agents, regardless of their place of exercise, and intervene from the first warning signals.
Mental health represents a major societal challenge. It is imperative that we act collectively, with kindness and without judgment. Beyond the figures, there are human lives that are at stake, and each gesture counts in this struggle. We can help improve the situation by being attentive, listening and breaking taboos around psychological suffering.
Resources to help those who need it
- The website “say I’m here” allows you to Information about suicide alert signs.
- 3114 The right reflex when you have suicidal ideas, or you are worried about a loved one. 3114 The national suicide prevention number for all. NUméro Confidential, free and available 24/7, accessible in every respect of the territory. His respondents are nurses or psychologists and are supervised by a coordinating psychiatrist.
Inrs recalls that the provision of an anonymous and free green number cannot replace to a real psychological care. In addition, it does not identify and act on psychosocial risk factors.
Unsa education articles:
The 12 UNSA Education advice to preserve your mental health at work
Mental health lift taboos
Mental health at work, I take care of it with Unsa Education
Contact us: [email protected]
Sources :
1- Public health France. Persistent health inequalities between women and men (2024)
1.2- Psychic suffering related to work (PDF)
1.3- Inrs suicide related to work.
2- Ipsos. Mental health A major health problem for more than a third of French
3- Health.gouv. National suicide-sept23.pdf
4- Podcast France Inter: Mental health at work, why do the figures do not improve?
5- Minds. “Be strong and shut up!” Mental health and men ”
