More than half of medical students present a " anxious state" , 20% had suicidal thoughts in the year, and sexual violence continues, particularly in internships, according to a new alarming survey published on May 26, 2026 by the main association that represents them.
Overwork, stress, isolation, precariousness: the state of students' health is " undeniably degraded", underlines the National Association of Medical Students of France (Anemf) in this quality of life barometer » carried out thanks to the responses of 6,663 students (12% of the total) on the Microsoft forms platform, from February 15 to March 15.
Thus, 52% of the respondents presented " an anxious state "at the time of the study, which relies in particular on " the HAD scale" , used in psychiatry. This " anxious state » concerns 12.51% of the general population, according to data from Public Health France (SPF). Some 131% of medical students presented with a “depressive state”. Another worrying figure: 201% have had suicidal thoughts in recent months » (compared to 4.2% in the general population according to SPF) and among those concerned, 76% identify schooling as one of the reasons“.
During their internships, 201% of respondents reported experiencing sexist insults, 131% sexual harassment, and 31% one or more sexual assaults. The vast majority of authors are hierarchical superiors."Even though patients are also among the perpetrators," the study specifies. "But the reporting mechanisms are..." used anecdotally", particularly because the victims believe that this" it's useless", do not know who to contact, or are afraid" repercussions"6 out of 10 victims who reported it felt that it was..." useless“In university life (at the faculty, during events, etc.), 81 students were victims of sexual assault – including more than 801 students during festive events – and 21 students were victims of rape. But only 231 students reported it.”
Read alsoThe upward trend in the number of doctors is confirmed, according to the Medical Association.
Financial difficulties and alcohol consumption
Two out of three students dedicate " more than 45 hours per week dedicated to their studies"One in three" more than 60 hours"Externship (from the fourth to the sixth year, before the specialization exam) is a period of surcharge "Psychological distress."
The study also deplores the " sedentary lifestyle "students and observes" a relatively high consumption of certain psychoactive substances » (poppers, cannabis, nitrous oxide…). Approximately 42% of respondents have a “ risky alcohol consumption“.
“ Each month, one in five people experiences real financial difficulties. " And " Despite already overloaded schedules, 49% students have a paid job in parallel" , notes Anemf.
The Anemf calls for action, proposing in particular to implement a " mandatory visit "regular with a student health service and a " formalized system of psychological listening", and to improve the training of teaching staff. It also calls for reduce the amount of knowledge required "to the sixth-year entrance exam and to increase the remuneration of student interns. External students (second cycle) receive, for example, between 219 euros and 320 euros net per month.
English 
French