At the beginning of the pandemic, school closures caused child and adolescent mental health treatment rates to drop by half. However, by 2022, the situation had shifted dramatically, with rates surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to a new study by Penn State College of Medicine published in the journal JAACAP Open.
Researchers analyzed the medical records of 13 million children and adolescents across 72 U.S. health systems. The findings revealed that the surge in pediatric mental health treatment was primarily driven by an influx of new patients, rather than more intensive therapy for existing ones. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the number of initial psychiatric diagnoses rose by 24%, while psychotherapy sessions increased by 26%.
The most dramatic increase was observed among girls. Specifically, antidepressant prescriptions skyrocketed by 137% among girls aged 6 to 12, and by 65% among adolescents aged 13 to 18. Researchers estimate that following the end of the pandemic, approximately 40,000 additional girls started antidepressant treatment.
Experts explain that while youth mental health was already declining before the pandemic, the COVID crisis accelerated this trend. Furthermore, the study showed a 147% increase in stimulant prescriptions for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children aged 3 to 5. According to experts, although behavioral therapy is recommended instead of medication for children under 6, pandemic-related restrictions left parents with no alternative.
The study also underscores that racial and ethnic disparities in mental health healthcare persisted post-pandemic. Specialists note that the expansion of telemedicine and online consultations failed to bridge the access gap, which often depends on internet quality, family financial resources, and cultural barriers.
