Student Protests and Mental Health Crisis in France

Since mid-September 2026, tens of thousands of high school and university students across France have been protesting to demand better educational conditions, additional teaching staff, appropriate curricula, well-maintained buildings, and an overhaul of the national higher education admission program, Parcoursup. These protests highlight growing social inequalities and concerns regarding the impact of the educational environment on students' mental health. According to 2024 data, 45 percent of middle school students reported psychological complaints, while 19 percent of high school students were prone to depression and 20 percent experienced suicidal ideation. Epidemiologists state that the deterioration in youth mental health has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with poverty, school pressure, and a lack of teacher support contributing to the crisis.

French students express lower levels of trust in their teachers and higher levels of school-related pressure compared to international averages. The protests are considered a direct response to these structural problems in the French education system.