The report, based on information from a subset of hospitals in 47 states, “provides timely surveillance data concerning children’s mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health-related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased by approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.
at its worst, the proportion of mental health–related ED visits among children increased 66%, from 1,094 per 100,000 during April 14–21, 2019 to 1,820 per 100,000 during April 12–18, 2020
“Many mental disorders commence in childhood, and mental health concerns in these age groups might be exacerbated by stress related to the pandemic and abrupt disruptions to daily life associated with mitigation efforts, including anxiety about illness, social isolation, and interrupted connectedness to school,” the report states.
Meanwhile, “the majority of (emergency departments) lack adequate capacity to treat pediatric mental health concerns, potentially increasing demand on systems already stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”