A Strategic Partnership with Inserm to Understand Youth Mental Health
Since 2022, the AXA Foundation for Human Progress has been supporting Mentalo, a large-scale participatory research program led by Inserm and Université Paris Cité. Tracking up to 50,000 young people aged 11 to 24 in France, Mentalo aims to better understand how their well-being evolves over time and identify key factors influencing their mental health.
Based on these insights, the project will develop MENTALO+, an innovative app dedicated to prevention and the promotion of youth mental health.
Addressing A Growing Youth Mental Health Challenge
In recent years, youth mental health has become a major concern in France. Studies indicate that a significant proportion of 11–24-year-olds experience psychological distress, often under-recognized or detected too late, with serious impact on education, social life, and future professional life.
Launched in May 2023 and running until 2026 Mentalo is France’s first major national study focused on adolescents mental well-being. It regularly surveys participants throughout the year to:
Track the evolution of their mental well-being over time
Identify influencing factors (school, family, social environment, digital life)
Better understand protective and risk factors
The study is co-designed with young people themselves: more than 300 adolescents and young adults have contributed to shaping the questionnaires and approach, ensuring that the research truly reflects their experiences and concerns.
From Data To MENTALO+: A New Tool for Prevention and Support
The goal of Mentalo is to turn research into practical solutions. Using collected data, the Inserm team is developing MENTALO+, a digital platform designed to help young people better understand their mental health, access resources, and seek support earlier.
MENTALO+ aims to:
Provide personalized, easy-to-understand content (videos, quizzes, self-assessment tools) to help young people articulate their feelings
Offer practical exercises and tools (such as relaxation and stress management) to improve day-to-day well-being
Connect users to local resources: health professionals, support services, and associations when more structured help is needed
Contribute to reducing severe outcomes, including suicidal behaviors among 15–25-year-olds
By supporting Mentalo and MENTALO+, we are building one of France’s most robust evidence bases on youth mental well-being, accelerating the development of a science-based, co-created prevention tool. Our aim is to enable earlier intervention, better support, and improved life trajectories for a generation facing increasing mental health pressures.