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Tucci A, Cloutier P, Polihronis C, Kennedy A, Zemek R, Gray C, Reid S, Pajer K, Gardner W, Barrowman N, Cappelli M, Jabbour M. Improving transitions in care for children and youth with mental health concerns: implementation and evaluation of an emergency department mental health clinical pathway. BMC Health Serv Res 2025; 25:475. [PMID: 40165260 PMCID: PMC11956442 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-12524-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency departments (EDs) are often the first access point for children and youth seeking mental health (MH) and addiction care. However, many EDs are unprepared to manage large volumes of pediatric MH patients. In addition, the fragmented Canadian MH system is challenged in connecting youth seen in the ED for follow-up community services. A provincial Emergency Department Mental Health Clinical Pathway (EDMHCP) for children and youth presenting to the ED with MH concerns was developed to address these challenges. The objective of the current study was to determine if EDMHCP implementation resulted in: (1) pathway use, (2) more patients discharged with MH recommendations, (3) MH service recommendations that aligned with patients' risk assessments, and (4) changes in service outcomes, including ED length of stay (LOS), revisits, and admissions/transfers. METHODS We implemented the pathway at four ED sites from 2018 to 2019 using the Theoretical Domains Framework to develop a tailored strategy at each site. We conducted chart reviews retrospectively in 2017-2018 (pre-implementation) and prospectively in 2019-2020 (post-implementation). Non-parametric tests examined differences in service outcomes between the implementation periods. RESULTS Pathway use varied widely across sites, ranging from 3.1% at site 4 to 83.0% at the lead site (site 2). More referrals to community MH agencies (p <.001) were made at discharge during post-implementation at the lead site compared to pre-implementation, and mixed results were obtained regarding whether clinicians' risk assessments aligned with MH service recommendations. LOS significantly increased at the lead site (p <.001) and non-lead sites (sites 1, 3, 4; p =.02) between pre- and post-implementation. Revisits and admissions/transfers did not change significantly at any site. CONCLUSION Implementation was partially successful at the lead site, showing high pathway use and greater referrals to community MH agencies. These findings emphasize the complexity of implementing pathways in various ED settings. Successful implementation requires integration into existing workflows. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02590302). Registered on 29 October 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tucci
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Paula Cloutier
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christine Polihronis
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Allison Kennedy
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Zemek
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Clare Gray
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Reid
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen Pajer
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William Gardner
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas Barrowman
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mario Cappelli
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mona Jabbour
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- CHEO, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Antoniou T, Pajer K, Gardner W, Penner M, Lunsky Y, McCormack D, Tadrous M, Mamdani M, Gozdyra P, Juurlink DN, Gomes T. Brief Report: A population-based study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on benzodiazepine use among children and young adults. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2025; 34:791-794. [PMID: 39110190 PMCID: PMC11868134 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2025]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in the prevalence of depression and anxiety among children and young adults. We studied whether the pandemic was associated with changes in prescription benzodiazepine use. We conducted a population-based study of benzodiazepine dispensing to children and young adults ≤ 24 years old between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2022. We used structural break analyses to identify the pandemic month(s) when changes in prescription benzodiazepine dispensing occurred, and interrupted time series models to quantify changes in dispensing following the structural break and compare observed and expected benzodiazepine use. A structural break occurs where there is a sudden change in the trend of a time series. We observed an immediate decline in benzodiazepine dispensing of 23.6 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -33.6 to -21.2) associated with a structural break in April 2020, followed by a monthly decrease in the trend of 0.3 per 100,000 (95% CI: -0.74 to 0.14). Lower than expected benzodiazepine dispensing rates were observed each month of the pandemic from April 2020 onward, with relative percent differences ranging from - 7.4% (95% CI: -10.1% to - 4.7%) to -20.9% (95% CI: -23.2% to -18.6%). Results were generally similar in analyses stratified by sex, age, neighbourhood income quintile, and urban versus rural residence. Further research is required to understand the clinical implications of these findings and whether these trends were sustained with further follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Antoniou
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Kathleen Pajer
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William Gardner
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- ICES, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melanie Penner
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada
| | - Yona Lunsky
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Mamdani
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Centre for Healthcare Analytics Research & Training, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - David N Juurlink
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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3
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Stewart SL, Withers A, Poss JW. School Closures on Bullying Experiences of Treatment-Seeking Children and Youth: The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Within Ontario, Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:1673. [PMID: 39767512 PMCID: PMC11675720 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21121673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Revised: 12/06/2024] [Accepted: 12/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
Amongst school-aged children and youth, bullying is a significant problem warranting further investigation. The current study sought to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic waves and school closures on the bullying experiences of 22,012 children aged 4-18-years-old who were referred and assessed at mental health agencies in Ontario, Canada. Individual, familial, and mental health variables related to bullying experiences were also investigated. Data were collected from January 2017 to February 2022. The pre-pandemic period of study included January to June 2017, September 2018/2019 to June 2019/2020. The pandemic period was divided into categories of remote learning (17 March 2020 to 30 June 2020, 8 January 2021 to 16 February 2021, 12 April 2021 to 30 June 2021) and in-person learning (remaining pandemic dates). The summer holidays pre-pandemic were in July-August 2017, 2018, 2019 and during the pandemic they were in July-August 2020 and 2021. Logistic regressions were conducted to analyze data. Findings related to COVID-19 showed bullying rates to be lower during the pandemic when compared to pre-pandemic levels (bullied others during pandemic in school: OR = 0.44, CI = 0.34-0.57; victim of bullying during pandemic in school: OR = 0.41, CI = 0.33-0.5). Furthermore, bullying rates were lower during the pandemic periods when schools were closed for in-person learning (bullied others during pandemic remote: OR = 0.62, CI = 0.45-0.85; victim of bullying during pandemic remote: OR = 0.24, CI = 0.17-0.34). Children who lived in lower income areas, experienced home life challenges, exhibited mental health difficulties, or had behavioural concerns were more likely to be involved in bullying experiences. Finally, classroom type and school program impacted the child's likelihood of bullying others or being bullied. These findings further our understanding of the impact of school closures on children's mental health and behaviour during the pandemic. Public health and policy implications such as bullying prevention, supervision, and conflict management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L. Stewart
- Faculty of Education, Western University, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada;
| | - Abigail Withers
- Faculty of Education, Western University, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada;
| | - Jeffrey W. Poss
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5, Canada;
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Manis J, Stewart SL. A Snapshot of Peer Relationships in Children and Youth: Pre- Versus During COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:1552. [PMID: 39767395 PMCID: PMC11675896 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21121552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2024] [Revised: 11/19/2024] [Accepted: 11/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
Strong peer relationships are an essential component of a healthy, happy, and long lifetime. Given that there is little understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on peer relationships, this study explored the effects of the COVID waves on peer relationships for clinically referred children and youth while controlling for age, sex, and income. 11,281 children and youth between the ages of 4 and 18 years, who were receiving services from mental health agencies across Ontario from January 2018-March 2022, were assessed using the interRAI ChYMH. Chi-square tests of independence and logistic regression analysis was performed. Overall, as expected, there were significantly fewer peer relationship difficulties during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. Despite the general decline of peer issues, individuals between the ages of 8-18, particularly males, were more likely to experience peer relationship difficulties compared to those 4-7 years old. Additionally, children from the lowest income households experienced greater peer relationship difficulties during COVID-19 when compared to those from the highest income households. The findings from this study demonstrate the nuanced changes in social behaviours due to the ongoing pandemic for children and youth and highlight those youth who are most in need of social and behavioural interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordyn Manis
- Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada;
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Gittins Stone DI, Elkins RM, Gardner M, Boger K, Sperling J. Examining the Effectiveness of an Intensive Telemental Health Treatment for Pediatric Anxiety and OCD During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Pediatric Mental Health Crisis. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:1398-1412. [PMID: 36749490 PMCID: PMC9902833 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite research supporting the efficacy of weekly outpatient videoconferencing-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VCBT), limited evidence exists about the benefits of leveraging VCBT for brief intensive formats. We examined the effectiveness of an intensive outpatient VCBT targeting pediatric anxiety and OCD. Quasi-experimental design was used to compare outcomes of intensive, in-person, group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy with medication management and caregiver guidance pre-pandemic, to a similar VCBT peri-pandemic (n = 130). Pretreatment and posttreatment assessments included patient- and caregiver-report of anxiety and functional impairment. Analyses of covariance were conducted, examining changes in anxiety and impairment between treatment groups, controlling for admission levels. No significant differences in posttreatment anxiety or impairment were observed between conditions. This study illustrates that intensive, group-based treatment for pediatric anxiety and OCD using VCBT is associated with comparable reductions in anxiety and impairment. It marks a crucial step toward providing broader access to quality care for youth in need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Meredith Elkins
- McLean Hospital Belmont, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kathryn Boger
- McLean Hospital Belmont, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Sperling
- McLean Hospital Belmont, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
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6
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Stewart SL, Cloutier S, King G, Withers A. Evaluating a Trauma-Informed Care Training Program for Mental Health Clinicians. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2024; 17:981-998. [PMID: 39309338 PMCID: PMC11413404 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-024-00639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the interRAI Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) training program based on evidence-informed Collaborative Action Plans. Focus groups and the Attitude Related Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) questionnaire addressed clinicians' and mental health professionals' attitudes toward the application of TIC with their child and youth clients. An explanatory sequential design was conducted. In total, 105 clinicians and mental health professionals who participated in a 4-hour, in-person or virtual TIC training, two comprehensive seminars, and 28 trauma-informed training web-based modules completed the ARTIC questionnaire. Researchers conducted seven focus groups with clinicians/participants (N = 23) to discuss the views and effectiveness of the interRAI TIC educational training modules. To quantitatively measure the change of attitudes towards TIC, descriptive statistical analysis was completed using the means and standard deviation of the ARTIC scores at the initial time point, the follow-up time point, and the difference between scores at both time points. Paired sample t-tests were conducted on both the overall score and each of the subscales in each of the three samples (total sample, online subsample, and hybrid subsample). A thematic analysis was conducted to generate qualitative findings from the focus groups. Findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest that the interRAI TIC training provided clinicians with an improved sense of knowledge and ability to apply trauma-informed care planning with their clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L. Stewart
- Faculty of Education, University of Western, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7 Canada
| | - Sarah Cloutier
- Faculty of Education, University of Western, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7 Canada
| | - Gabrielle King
- Faculty of Education, University of Western, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7 Canada
| | - Abigail Withers
- Faculty of Education, University of Western, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7 Canada
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7
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Geoffroy MC, Chadi N, Bouchard S, Fuoco J, Chartrand E, Loose T, Sciola A, Boruff JT, Iyer SN, Sun Y, Gouin JP, Côté SM, Thombs BD. Mental health of Canadian youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining changes in depression, anxiety, and suicide-related outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024; 115:408-424. [PMID: 38478216 PMCID: PMC11151894 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-024-00865-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to describe Canadian youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms and suicidality. METHODS We searched four databases up to February 2023 for longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional studies reporting on changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms, suicidality, or related services utilization among young people under 25 years old residing in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for studies comparing depressive and anxiety symptoms from before to during the first, second, and third COVID-19 waves (up to June 2021), and between COVID-19 waves. Other studies were described narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist. SYNTHESIS Of the 7916 records screened, 35 articles met inclusion criteria for this review. Included studies were highly heterogeneous in design, population, and type of change investigated, and many had a high risk of bias. The meta-analyses found that depressive symptoms worsened minimally from pre-pandemic to wave 1 but returned to pre-pandemic levels by wave 2. Anxiety symptoms were broadly comparable from pre-pandemic to waves 1 and 2 but worsened from waves 1 to 3 and from pre-pandemic to wave 1 for girls. The narrative review included several studies that provided inconclusive evidence of increases in services utilization. CONCLUSION The current evidence is limited and highly heterogeneous, making it insufficient to draw definitive conclusions regarding the short- to medium-term impact of the pandemic on youth mental health in Canada. Obtaining better mental health surveillance among Canadian youth is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute/Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Nicholas Chadi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Samantha Bouchard
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julia Fuoco
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elise Chartrand
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tianna Loose
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anthony Sciola
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jill T Boruff
- Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Srividya N Iyer
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ying Sun
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Sylvana M Côté
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brett D Thombs
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Wolf K, Schmitz J. Scoping review: longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1257-1312. [PMID: 37081139 PMCID: PMC10119016 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures have massively changed the daily lives of billions of children and adolescents worldwide. To investigate the global longitudinal effects on various mental health outcomes over a period of 1.5 years, we conducted a scoping review in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We included the peer-reviewed articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo that were published between December 2019 and December 2021, followed a longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional design, and quantitatively assessed with clinical questionnaires the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic or a related stressor on mental health indicators in community samples of children and adolescents.The results of our qualitative analysis of 69 studies indicate a general trend of less psychological well-being and more mental health problems, such as heightened stress, and depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. Data suggest that both protection measure intensity and infection dynamics were positively associated with severity of the psychopathology. The most reported influencing factors were age, gender, socio-economic status, previous state of mental and physical health, self-regulation abilities, parental mental health, parenting quality, family functioning, social support, isolation and loneliness, health-related worries, and consistent routines and structure. Our results demonstrate that children and adolescents worldwide have experienced more mental health problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They call for improved access to child and adolescent mental health care and prioritisation of child and adolescent welfare in political decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Wolf
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Wilhelm-Wundt-Institute for Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Julian Schmitz
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Wilhelm-Wundt-Institute for Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Antoniou T, Pajer K, Gardner W, Penner M, Lunsky Y, Tadrous M, Mamdani M, Gozdyra P, Juurlink DN, Gomes T. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antidepressant and antipsychotic use among children and adolescents: a population-based study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1282845. [PMID: 38146536 PMCID: PMC10749316 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1282845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in the prevalence of depression, anxiety and behavioural problems among children and youth. Less well understood is the influence of the pandemic on antidepressant and antipsychotic use among children. This is important, as it is possible that antidepressants and antipsychotics were used as a "stop-gap" measure to treat mental health symptoms when in-person access to outpatient care and school-based supportive services was disrupted. Furthermore, antipsychotics and antidepressants have been associated with harm in children and youth. We examined trends in dispensing of these medications two years following the pandemic among children 18 years of age and under in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a population-based time-series study of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication dispensing to children and adolescents ≤18 years old between September 1, 2014, and March 31, 2022. We measured monthly population-adjusted rates of antidepressant and antipsychotics obtained from the IQVIA Geographic Prescription Monitor (GPM) database. We used structural break analyses to identify the pandemic month(s) when changes in the dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics occurred. We used interrupted time series models to quantify changes in dispensing following the structural break and compare observed and expected use of these drugs. Results Overall, we found higher-than-expected dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics in children and youth. Specifically, we observed an immediate step decrease in antidepressant dispensing associated with a structural break in April 2020 (-55.8 units per 1,000 individuals; 95% confidence intervals [CI] CI: -117.4 to 5.8), followed by an increased monthly trend in the rate of antidepressant dispensing of 13.0 units per 1,000 individuals (95% CI: 10.2-15.9). Antidepressant dispensing was consistently greater than predicted from September 2020 onward. Antipsychotic dispensing increased immediately following a June 2020 structural break (26.4 units per 1,000 individuals; 95% CI: 15.8-36.9) and did not change appreciably thereafter. Antipsychotic dispensing was higher than predicted at all time points from June 2020 onward. Conclusion We found higher-than-expected dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics in children and youth. These increases were sustained through nearly two years of observation and are especially concerning in light of the potential for harm with the long-term use of antipsychotics in children. Further research is required to understand the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Antoniou
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen Pajer
- Mental Health Program, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William Gardner
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melanie Penner
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - Yona Lunsky
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Mamdani
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Centre for Healthcare Analytics Research & Training, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - David N. Juurlink
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Toulany A, Vigod S, Kurdyak P, Stukel TA, Strauss R, Fu L, Guttmann A, Guan J, Cohen E, Chiu M, Hepburn CM, Moran K, Gardner W, Cappelli M, Sundar P, Saunders N. New and continuing physician-based outpatient mental health care among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1063203. [PMID: 38025438 PMCID: PMC10657868 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1063203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess physician-based mental health care utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among children and adolescents new to care and those already engaged with mental health services, and to evaluate differences by sociodemographic factors. Study design We performed a population-based repeated cross-sectional study using linked health and administrative databases in Ontario, Canada among all children and adolescents 3-17 years. We examined outpatient visit rates per 1,000 population for mental health concerns for those new to care (no physician-based mental healthcare for ≥1 year) and those with continuing care needs (any physician-based mental healthcare <1 year) following onset of the pandemic. Results Among ~2.5 million children and adolescents (48.7% female, mean age 10.1 ± 4.3 years), expected monthly mental health outpatient visits were 1.5/1,000 for those new to mental health care and 5.4/1,000 for those already engaged in care. Following onset of the pandemic, visit rates for both groups were above expected [adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 1.22, 95% CI 1.17, 1.27; aRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07, 1.12] for new and continuing care, respectively. The greatest increase above expected was among females (new: aRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25, 1.42; continuing: aRR 1.22 95% CI 1.17, 1.26) and adolescents ages 13-17 years (new: aRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.27, 1.34; continuing: aRR 1.15 95% CI 1.13, 1.17). Mood and anxiety concerns were prominent among those new to care. Conclusion In the 18 months following onset of the pandemic, outpatient mental health care utilization increased for those with new and continuing care needs, especially among females and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alene Toulany
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simone Vigod
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women’s College Hospital, Women’s College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Therese A. Stukel
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Astrid Guttmann
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Eyal Cohen
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Chiu
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charlotte Moore Hepburn
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - William Gardner
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mario Cappelli
- Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Purnima Sundar
- Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha Saunders
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Levine DA, Oh PS, Nash KA, Simmons W, Grinspan ZM, Abramson EL, Platt SL, Green C. Pediatric Mental Health Emergencies During 5 COVID-19 Waves in New York City. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2022060553. [PMID: 37860839 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the proportion of pediatric mental health emergency department (MH-ED) visits across 5 COVID-19 waves in New York City (NYC) and to examine the relationship between MH-ED visits, COVID-19 prevalence, and societal restrictions. METHODS We conducted a time-series analysis of MH-ED visits among patients ages 5 to 17 years using the INSIGHT Clinical Research Network, a database from 5 medical centers in NYC from January 1, 2016, to June 12, 2022. We estimated seasonally adjusted changes in MH-ED visit rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with predicted prepandemic levels, specific to each COVID-19 wave and stratified by mental health diagnoses and sociodemographic characteristics. We estimated associations between MH-ED visit rates, COVID-19 prevalence, and societal restrictions measured by the Stringency Index. RESULTS Of 686 500 ED visits in the cohort, 27 168 (4.0%) were MH-ED visits. The proportion of MH-ED visits was higher during each COVID-19 wave compared with predicted prepandemic trends. Increased MH-ED visits were seen for eating disorders across all waves; anxiety disorders in all except wave 3; depressive disorders and suicidality/self-harm in wave 2; and substance use disorders in waves 2, 4, and 5. MH-ED visits were increased from expected among female, adolescent, Asian race, high Child Opportunity Index patients. There was no association between MH-ED visits and NYC COVID-19 prevalence or NY State Stringency Index. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of pediatric MH-ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher during each wave compared with the predicted prepandemic period, with varied increases among diagnostic and sociodemographic subgroups. Enhanced pediatric mental health resources are essential to address these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Levine
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - P Stephen Oh
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Katherine A Nash
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital, Columbia University, New York City, New York
| | - Will Simmons
- Department of Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Zachary M Grinspan
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Erika L Abramson
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Shari L Platt
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Cori Green
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
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Poonai N, Freedman SB, Newton AS, Sawyer S, Gaucher N, Ali S, Wright B, Miller MR, Mater A, Fitzpatrick E, Jabbour M, Zemek R, Eltorki M, Doan Q. Emergency department visits and hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm among adolescents in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1221-E1230. [PMID: 37722746 PMCID: PMC10506508 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on the mental wellbeing of adolescents. We sought to evaluate pandemic-related changes in health care use for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm. METHODS We obtained data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information on emergency department visits and hospital admissions from April 2015 to March 2022 among adolescents aged 10-18 years in Canada. We calculated the quarterly percentage of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for a composite outcome comprising suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits and hospital admissions. We used interrupted time-series methods to compare changes in levels and trends of these outcomes between the prepandemic (Apr. 1, 2015-Mar. 1, 2020) and pandemic (Apr. 1, 2020-Mar. 31, 2022) periods. RESULTS The average quarterly percentage of emergency department visits for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits was 2.30% during the prepandemic period and 3.52% during the pandemic period. The level (0.08%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.79% to 0.95%) or trend (0.07% per quarter, 95% CI -0.14% to 0.28%) of this percentage did not change significantly between periods. The average quarterly percentage of hospital admissions for the composite outcome relative to all-cause admissions was 7.18% during the prepandemic period and 8.96% during the pandemic period. This percentage showed no significant change in level (-0.70%, 95% CI -1.90% to 0.50%), but did show a significantly increasing trend (0.36% per quarter; 95% 0.07% to 0.65%) during the pandemic versus prepandemic periods, specifically among females aged 10-14 years (0.76% per quarter, 95% CI 0.22% to 1.30%) and females aged 15-18 years (0.56% per quarter, 95% CI 0.31% to 0.81%). INTERPRETATION The quarterly change in the percentage of hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm increased among adolescent females in Canada during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the need to promote public health policies that mitigate the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Poonai
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Stephen B Freedman
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Amanda S Newton
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Scott Sawyer
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Nathalie Gaucher
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Samina Ali
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Bruce Wright
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Michael R Miller
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Ahmed Mater
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Eleanor Fitzpatrick
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Mona Jabbour
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Roger Zemek
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Mohamed Eltorki
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Quynh Doan
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Poonai, Miller), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Children's Health Research Institute (Poonai, Miller), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology (Freedman), Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Newton), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Pediatrics (Sawyer), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Gaucher), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Department of Pediatrics, and Women and Children's Health Research Institute (Ali, Wright), Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Children's Emergency Services (Mater), Department of Pediatrics, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.; IWK Health and Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fitzpatrick), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine (Jabbour, Zemek), University of Ottawa; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (Jabbour, Zemek), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Eltorki), Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Department of Pediatrics (Doan), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
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Gyllenberg D, Bastola K, Wan Mohd Yunus WMA, Mishina K, Liukko E, Kääriälä A, Sourander A. Comparison of new psychiatric diagnoses among Finnish children and adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide register-based study. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004072. [PMID: 36848384 PMCID: PMC10089356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions decreased the use of specialist psychiatric services for children and adolescents in spring 2020. However, little is known about the pattern once restrictions eased. We compared new psychiatric diagnoses by specialist services during pandemic and pre-pandemic periods. METHODS AND FINDINGS This national register study focused on all Finnish residents aged 0 to 17 years from January 2017 to September 2021 (approximately 1 million a year). The outcomes were new monthly diagnoses for psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders in specialist services. These were analyzed by sex, age, home location, and diagnostic groups. The numbers of new diagnoses from March 2020 were compared to predictive models based on previous years. The predicted and observed levels in March to May 2020 showed no significant differences, but the overall difference was 18.5% (95% confidence interval 12.0 to 25.9) higher than predicted in June 2020 to September 2021, with 3,821 more patients diagnosed than anticipated. During this period, the largest increases were among females (33.4%, 23.4 to 45.2), adolescents (34.4%, 25.0 to 45.3), and those living in areas with the highest COVID-19 morbidity (29.9%, 21.2 to 39.8). The largest increases by diagnostic groups were found for eating disorders (27.4%, 8.0 to 55.3), depression and anxiety (21.0%, 12.1 to 51.9), and neurodevelopmental disorders (9.6%, 3.0 to 17.0), but psychotic and bipolar disorders and conduct and oppositional disorders showed no significant differences and self-harm (-28.6, -41.5 to -8.2) and substance use disorders (-15.5, -26.4 to -0.7) decreased in this period. The main limitation is that data from specialist services do not allow to draw conclusions about those not seeking help. CONCLUSIONS Following the first pandemic phase, new psychiatric diagnoses in children and adolescents increased by nearly a fifth in Finnish specialist services. Possible explanations to our findings include changes in help-seeking, referrals and psychiatric problems, and delayed service access.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gyllenberg
- Department of Child Psychiatry and INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Kalpana Bastola
- Department of Child Psychiatry and INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wan Mohd Azam Wan Mohd Yunus
- Department of Child Psychiatry and INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Kaisa Mishina
- Department of Child Psychiatry and INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Emmi Liukko
- Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Kääriälä
- Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andre Sourander
- Department of Child Psychiatry and INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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14
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Bersia M, Koumantakis E, Berchialla P, Charrier L, Ricotti A, Grimaldi P, Dalmasso P, Comoretto RI. Suicide spectrum among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 54:101705. [PMID: 36338787 PMCID: PMC9621691 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are concerns that suicidal behaviors are arising among adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic could have worsened the picture, however, studies on this topic reported contrasting results. This work aimed to summarise findings from the worldwide emerging literature on the rates of suicidality among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, searching five electronic databases for studies published from January 1, 2020 until July 27, 2022. Studies reporting rates for each of the three considered outcomes (suicide, suicidal behaviors, and suicidal ideation) among young people under 19 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, and the intra-study risk of bias was assessed. When pre-COVID-19 data were available, incidence rate ratio (IRR) and prevalence ratio (PR) estimates were calculated between the two periods. All the analyses were performed according to the setting explored: general population, emergency department (ED), and psychiatric services. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022308014). Findings Forty-seven observational studies were selected for more than 65 million subjects. The results of the meta-analysis showed a pooled annual incidence rate of suicides of 4.9 cases/100,000 during 2020, accounting for a non-statistically significant increase of 10% compared to 2019 (IRR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.94-1.29). The suicidal behaviors pooled prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in the psychiatric setting (25%; 95% CI: 17-36%) than in the general population (3%; 1-13%) and ED (1%; 0-9%). The pooled rate of suicidal ideation was 17% in the general population (11-25%), 36% in psychiatric setting (20-56%) and 2% in ED (0-12%). The heterogeneity level was over 97% for both outcomes in all settings considered. The comparison between before and during COVID-19 periods highlighted a non-statistically significant upward trend in suicidal behaviors among the general population and in ED setting. The only significant increase was found for suicidal ideation in psychiatric setting among studies conducted in 2021 (PR 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04-1.27), not observed exploring 2020 alone. Interpretation During the pandemic, suicide spectrum issues seemed to follow the known pattern described in previous studies, with higher rates of suicidal ideation than of suicidal behaviors and suicide events. Governments and other stakeholders should be mindful that youth may have unique risks at the outset of large disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic and proactive steps are necessary to address the needs of youth to mitigate those risks. Funding The present study was funded by the University of Torino (CHAL_RILO_21_01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bersia
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Emanuele Koumantakis
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Berchialla
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole 43, 10043, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Lorena Charrier
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Ricotti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Piercesare Grimaldi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Dalmasso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Rosanna I. Comoretto
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
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15
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Jollant F, Roussot A, Corruble E, Chauvet-Gelinier JC, Falissard B, Mikaeloff Y, Quantin C. Prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-harm hospitalizations in France: A nationwide retrospective observational study. Eur Psychiatry 2022; 65:e35. [PMID: 35694827 PMCID: PMC9251820 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in France was associated with a reduced number of hospitalizations for self-harm, with the exception of older people. The on-going pandemic may have both sustained and delayed effects. Methods Data were extracted from the French national hospital database (PMSI), a nationwide exhaustive database. The number of self-harm hospitalizations (ICD-10 codes X60–84) between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021 (N = 85,679) was compared to 2019 (N = 88,782) using Poisson regression models. Results There was a decrease in the total number of self-harm hospitalizations during the studied period versus 2019 (−3.5%; Relative Risk [RR] [95% Confidence Intervals] = 0.97 [0.96–0.97]; p < 0.0001). However, sex and age effects were identified. While adults aged 30–59-years-old showed a decrease (monthly decreases: −12.6 to −15.0%), we found an increase in adolescent girls (+27.7%, RR = 1.28 [1.25–1.31]; p < 0.0001), notably since January 2021. Moreover, the numbers were similar to 2019 in adolescent boys, in youths aged 20–29 years, and in people aged 70 and more. Hospitalizations in intensive care units decreased (−6.7%, RR = 0.93 [0.91–0.96]; p < 0.0001) and deaths at hospital following self-harm remained stable (+0.6%, Hazard Ratio = 0.99 [0.91–1.08], p = 0.79). Conclusions During this second stage, the number of self-harm hospitalizations remained at a lower level than in the prepandemic period. However, significant variations over time, age, and sex were observed. Young people (notably adolescent girls) appear to have particularly suffered from the persistence of the pandemic, while older people did not show any decrease since the beginning. Vigilance and continuing prevention are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Jollant
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany.,CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France.,Université Paris Cité, Paris, France & GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, CMME, Paris, France.,McGill Group for suicide studies, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,Moods Team, INSERM UMR-1178, CESP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - A Roussot
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (DIM), University Hospital, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France; Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - E Corruble
- Moods Team, INSERM UMR-1178, CESP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Psychiatry department, Bicêtre Hospital, GHU Paris-Saclay; APHP, Université Paris-Saclay, France
| | - J C Chauvet-Gelinier
- Service de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Dijon, France.,Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Psychologie Médicale, EA 4452, IFR Santé STIC 100, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - B Falissard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, Developmental psychiatry, CESP, Villejuif, France
| | - Y Mikaeloff
- Pediatrics department, GHU Paris-Saclay; Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, Developmental psychiatry, CESP, Villejuif, France
| | - C Quantin
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (DIM), University Hospital, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France; Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France.,Inserm, CIC 1432, Dijon, France; Dijon University Hospital, Clinical Investigation Center, clinical epidemiology/clinical trials unit, Dijon, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Univ. Paris-Sud, Inserm, High-Dimensional Biostatistics for Drug Safety and Genomics, CESP, Villejuif, France
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16
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Stewart SL, Celebre A, Semovski V, Hirdes JP, Vadeboncoeur C, Poss JW. The interRAI Child and Youth Suite of Mental Health Assessment Instruments: An Integrated Approach to Mental Health Service Delivery. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:710569. [PMID: 35370860 PMCID: PMC8967950 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.710569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Various biological, social, psychological, and environmental factors impact children and youth living with mental health problems across their lifespan. To meet the wide-ranging challenges of mental illness, service system integration is needed to improve efficiencies and reduce fragmentation. Unfortunately, the mental health system has been plagued by the lack of coordination across services. There is a general consensus that mental health service delivery must ensure a child or youth's needs are addressed in a collaborative, coordinated, and seamless manner. A key element to successful integration is the development of a comprehensive standardized screening and assessment system. Numerous assessments have been developed to assess child mental health and functioning, but they typically have a very narrow focus with limited use and utility. Not only does this reduce the ability to take a life course perspective to mental health, but this uncoordinated approach also results in redundancies in information collected, additional resources, and increased assessor burden for children, youth, and their families. The interRAI child and youth mental health assessment suite was developed in response to the need for an integrated mental health system for young persons. This suite includes screening and assessment instruments for in-patient and community settings, emergency departments, educational settings, and youth justice custodial facilities. The instruments form a mental health information system intentionally designed to work in an integrated fashion beginning in infancy, and incorporate key applications such as care planning, outcome measurement, resource allocation, and quality improvement. The design of these assessment tools and their psychometric properties are reviewed. Data is then presented using examples related to interpersonal trauma, illustrating the use and utility of the integrated suite, along with the various applications of these assessment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela Celebre
- Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - John P. Hirdes
- Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jeffrey W. Poss
- Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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The Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Lithuanian Adolescents after the Second Prolonged Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063360. [PMID: 35329053 PMCID: PMC8949903 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent research highlights the impact of prolonged pandemics and lockdown on the mental health of youngsters. The second wave of COVID-19 brought an increase in mental health problems among young people. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the main factors arising from intra-individual, inter-individual, and environmental contexts that predict good psychological well-being in a group of adolescents after a second prolonged period of social restrictions and distance education. The study included 1483 school students from 11 to 19 years old. The survey assessed self-reported students’ psychological well-being (WHO-5 index), physical activity, sedentary behavior, school social capital, communication with peers and relationships with parents, existing emotional and behavioral problems. The results indicated that 58% of adolescents were of good psychological well-being in spring 2021, after half a year in lockdown. Almost 19% of adolescents had depression risk. The study revealed that during a period of prolonged isolation, male gender, better relationships between young people and their parents, the absence of serious emotional and behavioral problems, less sedentary behavior, and higher school social capital were found to be significant factors predicting adolescents’ psychological well-being. Lower physical activity is an important contributor to students’ poor well-being. Finally, the lack of face-to-face communication with peers was revealed as a specific factor in predicting adolescents with depression risk.
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