Study Finds 8% of French Preschoolers Face Mental Health Challenges

A national survey highlights the need for early intervention as young children show signs of emotional, behavioral, and attention-related difficulties.

• The study by Santé publique France reveals that 8.3% of children aged 3 to 6 experience probable mental health difficulties affecting daily life.
• Key issues identified include emotional struggles (1.8%), oppositional behavior (5.9%), and inattention/hyperactivity (1.9%).
• Boys are more likely to face challenges, with 11.3% affected compared to 5.2% of girls, reflecting broader clinical observations.
• Only a third of children with significant difficulties had access to mental health professionals in the past year, underscoring gaps in care availability.
• Experts emphasize the importance of addressing these issues early, as childhood is a critical period for emotional and psychological development.

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