Precarity and health, young people at risk

Well-being is no longer limited to physical state, and mental health has become an essential component of overall health, especially among young people. Health, a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”, does not merely mean the absence of disease or infirmity: it’s a collective issue.

The figures are alarming: 41% of 18-30-years-old are not feeling very well, or not feeling well at all, in their life, and 48% have already consulted a professional to feel better (JAM, Projet Jeunesse(s) 2025). This generation is weakened by a succession of major economic, environmental, health, social, or democratic crises. 32% of young people cite precariousness as the main cause of their unhappiness, with a strong correlation between unhappiness, loneliness, anxiety and economic and social insecurity. 62% of young people experiencing financial difficulties say that these economic struggles negatively impact their well-being.

How can we reinforce healthcare’s importance in schools and universities? How can we facilitate access to healthcare, the search for skilled professionals, and the administrative procedures for the youth? This is a social, educational, health and economic priority. How can we coordinate the health policies in terms of healthcare and prevention, between public and private actors? How can we put prevention at the heart of public policies? How can we build a more inclusive mental healthcare system?