Impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on mental healthcare consultations among children and adolescents in Norway: a nationwide registry study

Link to article:

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Authors:

Evensen, Miriam, Rannveig Kaldager Hart, Anna Aasen Godøy, Lars Johan Hauge, Ingunn Olea Lund, Ann Kristin Skrindo Knudsen, Maja Weemes Grøtting, Pål Surén, Anne Renefot

Year:

2023

Reference:

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions may have afected children and adolescent’s mental health adversely. We cast light on this question using primary and specialist consultations data for the entire population of children of age 6-19 years in Norway (N=908 272). Our outcomes are the monthly likelihood of having a consultation or hospitalization related to mental health problems and common mental health diagnoses. We compared a pandemic (2019-2021) to a prepandemic (2017-2019) cohort using event study and diference-in-diference designs that separate the shock of the pandemic from linear period trends and seasonal variation. We found temporary reductions in all mental health consultations during lockdown in spring 2020. In fall 2020 and winter 2021, consultation volumes in primary care increased, stabilizing at a higher level in 2021. Consultations in specialist care increased from spring 2021. Our fndings could suggest a worsening of mental health among adolescents.

Keywords:

COVID-19 · Mental health · Children · Adolescence · Healthcare use

Project: