While Michel Barnier has erected mental health in great national cause for 2025, several studies underline an alarming deterioration of well-being among young people. According to a national survey published on April 9, 2024, one in seven adolescents presents a high risk of depression, a particularly marked phenomenon among young girls. Photo illustration © Unsplash / Ben Blennerhassett.
At the end of the 90s, Marc experienced big problems with his eldest daughter. L’17 -year -old teenager crosses a big depression. “At the time, I did not know how to get out of it, I was alone in raising it,” he begins. With his research, Marc ends up finding the address of UNAFAM (National Union of family and sick friends). This association is present in each department of France. CRealated 60 years ago, it is intended for families whose relatives suffer from mental or psychological disorders.
“The whole family unit that is impacted “
While the state of his daughter deteriorates, Marc goes to the permanence of this association. “I was the only dad in the midst of many mothers,” he smiles. At the time, relatives of people with mental disorders were not invited to meetings. Consequences, parents like Marc are desperately looking for information. “I was looking for answers to my questions,” said the father, faced with the silence of health professionals.
Marc then discovers an unknown world: that of psychiatry. He remembers the poignant testimony of these mothers whose child is schizophrenic or bipolar. “There was a lack of terrible accompaniment … And then, the disease sometimes makes oil stain in a family. There are people who move away. How to get out of it, especially when you have to take care of the rest of the siblings? The whole family unit is impacted. »»
For this dad, suffering lies in solitude. “I was alone. I wanted to talk, to exchange, to meet … ”This loneliness also affects patients who find themselves left to themselves. “Many are not surrounded by their family,” he said. Especially since at the time, there are very few structures in complementarity of care. Today, despite advances in mentalities, taboo around depression and mental illnesses persists, still preventing many families from receiving the support they need.
“Little by little, I felt depression coming”
Locked in her room, his daughter Jeanne* no longer goes out. Or only at night, to eat. “She started to make bulimia crises,” says Marc. “I encouraged him in the morning to get up, dress, prepare. I accompanied him in front of the school, to avoid taking the bus and being late. But Jeanne cannot get out of the car, something prevents her, it’s stronger than her. Marc wonders, what should we do? What door strikes for her daughter better? To understand what she is going through.
“Little by little, I felt depression coming,” he says. Jeanne’s father remembers this school trip organized by the school. The joy on the face of adolescents who go up in hand luggage. Jeanne seems sad and behind. Little by little, she locks herself in a silence. “Fortunately, she agreed to see a doctor,” said Marc.
“After a few weeks, he told me that he could not go further and that Jeanne had to be hospitalized. This is one of the few information I had. 25 years ago, psychiatrists were silent like carp! They did not communicate at all, ”he deplores. The psychiatrist offers a clinic stay at the teenager, who is admitted to the Théza clinic for three weeks.
Promote exchanges around mental disorders
Marc continues to invest in UNAFAM, despite his well -filled working days. So much so that it is offered a treasurer position. “I had no experience and I hated figures,” says the father. He nevertheless ended up accepting the post, without knowing that one day he will be at the head of the association. Indeed, the state of health of the president worsens. If Marc does not take over the reins, Unafam will stop existing.
Just appointed president, he discovered a project carried out by a collective of psychiatry users. The association La Maison Bleue, formerly “Destination Avenir”, works as a resource place for bipolar, schizophrenic people or suffering from severe depression, allowing social rehabilitation through artistic, sports and friendly moments. “It was the first association of this type in the Pyrénées-Orientales,” says Marc. “Before the 2000s, there was nothing at all at the initiative of sick people. »»
At the time, the association organized a meal at the restaurant once a month. Marc has the idea of offering the families of Unafam a meeting with members of “Destination Avenir”. An evening that has become a ritual, making it possible to promote exchanges around mental disorders. Today, while the difficulties persist around prevention and care path, UNAFAM offers families listening and support.
*Borrowed first name
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A graduate of ESJ Lille, Célia joins the writing of Made in Perpignan after having completed an internship.
