A new global study has uncovered a significant rise in mental health disorders among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a troubling shift in youth mental health trends. Published in Psychological Medicine, the study found that new cases of mental disorders in individuals aged 5 to 24 increased by more than 11% annually during the pandemic. These findings underscore the lasting impact of the pandemic on the mental well-being of young people.
Historically, the mental health of youth has been a critical public health issue, with many mental disorders first emerging during childhood and adolescence. These disorders can impede cognitive development, hinder school performance, affect relationships, and have long-term consequences that extend into adulthood. The pandemic introduced new challenges by disrupting daily life, education, and social interactions, all of which are known to have a profound effect on mental health.
Although the effects of the pandemic on mental health have been explored in previous studies, a gap in large-scale, globally representative data focused specifically on children and adolescents has existed. To address this gap, the authors of the study turned to data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study. Their goal was to quantify the changes in the prevalence and burden of mental disorders before and during the pandemic, offering a comprehensive view of how young people worldwide were affected.
The research team analyzed mental health data from 204 countries and territories, concentrating on individuals between the ages of 5 and 24. They assessed three key measures: the number of new mental disorder cases, the total number of affected individuals (prevalence), and the burden of these disorders, measured in years lived with disability (YLDs). Data from 2019, prior to the pandemic, was compared with figures from 2020 and 2021, during the height of the pandemic’s disruption.
To estimate the pandemic’s direct impact on mental health, the researchers employed a statistical method known as the Bayesian age–period–cohort model. This model enabled them to predict what mental disorder rates would have been in 2020 and 2021 based on trends observed before the pandemic. The difference between these predictions and the actual data helped estimate the additional burden caused by the pandemic.
The study also examined how these trends varied by factors such as sex, age group, and socioeconomic development. Researchers used the sociodemographic index—a measure that accounts for factors like education, income, and fertility rates—to understand how a country’s level of development might influence changes in mental health.
The results revealed a sharp increase in mental health disorders among children and adolescents during the pandemic. In 2021 alone, an estimated 123 million new cases of mental disorders were recorded in this age group, with an overall annual increase of 11.8% in new cases during the pandemic—a marked rise compared to pre-pandemic years.
Anxiety disorders experienced the most significant increase, emerging as the leading cause of nonfatal disability in this age group, with 12.9 million years lived with disability in 2021. Depressive disorders also rose substantially, becoming the fourth leading cause of disability. Both anxiety and depression saw significant jumps in prevalence and impact, reflecting the severe toll the pandemic took on young people’s mental health.
Disparities based on sex and age were also evident. Females experienced a more pronounced rise in mental health disorders than males, particularly in depression. The group most affected was young adults aged 15 to 24, with the most significant increases in anxiety and depression occurring within this demographic. Notably, children under 10 also showed considerable increases in anxiety, highlighting that even younger age groups were not immune to the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic.
Geographically, wealthier regions with higher levels of economic development saw some of the most significant increases in mental health disorders. The study found a strong correlation between the additional burden of mental disorders and a country’s sociodemographic index. High-income regions such as North America, Western Europe, and Australasia experienced some of the largest increases in anxiety and depression rates. Latin America also saw sharp rises, though to a lesser extent.
However, the study has limitations. The quality of mental health data varies across countries, with lower-income regions often lacking detailed records. Additionally, the study relied on statistical models to estimate what mental health trends would have been without the pandemic, which may not fully capture the complexities of these changes.
The study also did not account for racial and ethnic differences in mental health outcomes, as the dataset did not include this information. Future research could focus on how racial and cultural factors influence mental health responses to global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study provides a crucial look at the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the mental health of young people worldwide, emphasizing the need for continued support and intervention in addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
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