Two studies published in March 2021 documented the mental health effects of lockdowns. One in seven people experienced depressive disorder after the first lockdown in spring 2020. And the trend continues. Women and young people are the most affected.
Various factors related to the health situation can cause depressive disorders: isolation, housing conditions, lack of social contacts, worsening financial situation.
The Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics Directorate (Drees) conducted a study on the state of health of the Frenchwhich includes a questionnaire on the mental health of respondents during the spring 2020 lockdown. She presented the results of this first wave of the EpiCov survey and compared them with those of the European Health Surveys (EHIS) 2014 and 2019. The findings are enlightening:
In May 2020 13.5% persons aged 15 years or older living in France report symptoms suggestive of depression, against 10.9% in 2019
