Qualitative Study of Student Financial Insecurity and Psychiatry

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health disorders have increased significantly, particularly among young people. In France, the proportion of young people aged 18 to 25 suffering from depression almost doubled between 2017 and 2021. This phenomenon particularly affects students, who are already identified as being at greater risk of mental health disorders than the general population. Medical students seem to be particularly vulnerable: in 2021, a national study showed very high rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in this population. The main factor associated with depression was the feeling of financial hardship.

Students often face multiple forms of insecurity. Financially, they have limited resources and struggle to cover their basic needs such as housing, food and healthcare. Socially, many experience significant isolation, particularly when they are away from their families or under pressure from their studies. All of this has a significant impact on their mental health. Unfortunately, many students do not seek help due to lack of time, resources, or awareness of support services. The 2021 study showed that only one-third of medical students suffering from depression received appropriate treatment.

The aim of the study is to explore the lived experiences of the students concerned in order to identify what they perceive as the various aspects of student precarity (housing, transport, isolation, financial difficulties, etc.) and the links they perceive between these and their psychological distress. This study will deepen our understanding of these factors by exploring students' lived experiences, and will bring to light elements not identified by quantitative studies.