Drama at Jean-Perrin college in Béziers: a 12-year-old student falls from the third floor

The drama took place at the Jean-Perrin college in Béziers. Elena, 12, fell from the third floor of her establishment, in the middle of class, this Thursday, October 1, according to information from the local press confirmed in Le Figaro. Emergency services immediately intervened and the student was taken into care. His vital prognosis, once committed, is now ruled out. The causes of his action remain unclear. Here Hérault evokes a psychologically fragile student who may have recently lost her father. Furthermore, the schoolgirl would have been the subject of harassment on social networks because of her physique. Details that Le Figaro has not been able to confirm for the moment.

Concerning a possible situation of harassment, “the checks already carried out do not reveal any previous reports concerning this student”, specifies the Hérault rectorate. “No reports of harassment had been made to the educational and teaching team of the college, whether by the student herself or by her classmates. There was also no report under the pHARe system.” The college, committed to the prevention and fight against harassment program, has a resource team and student ambassadors who are fully aware of these situations.

A psychological support unit was immediately set up in the establishment to support students and staff. “The Montpellier academy and the departmental National Education services remain fully mobilized alongside the student’s family to whom they wish to provide all their support in the face of this tragedy, as well as with the entire educational community,” underlines the rectorate.

The mental health of children and adolescents is a growing concern for National Education. Over the period 2018-2022, the prevalence of the risk of depression for middle and high school students increased, specifies the ministry website: from 5.2% to 6.9% among boys; from 13.4 to 21.4% among girls. Over the last three years, the number of adolescent psychiatric hospitalizations has almost tripled.

Since the start of the 2025 school year, each French middle school and high school must train two “reference personnel” in mental health. These adults are responsible for identifying students in psychological distress to enable them to be taken care of. Although there is no legal obligation in this area, some educational establishments put in place anti-fall devices, in particular windows with limited opening or safety nets.