Evolving Psychiatric Needs of Children and Adolescents in A Global Health Crisis: A Study of Consultations During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Evidence is increasing that the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures implemented during this time have significantly affected the mental health of children and adolescents. This study aims to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of psychiatric consultation cases referred to child and adolescent mental health services during and after the pandemic, and to assess the impact of the pandemic on mental health and service utilization in this population. In this study, the demographic and clinical characteristics of psychiatric consultations for patients under the age of 18 referred to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic of Samsun Training and Research Hospital were examined through a retrospective file review. The data were analyzed by dividing them into three distinct time periods: the pandemic period (January 1, 2020 – July 1, 2021), the normalization period (July 1, 2021 – May 5, 2023), and the post-pandemic period (May 5, 2023 – December 31, 2023). In the post-pandemic period, a notable increase was observed in psychiatric consultations for children and adolescents. The average monthly number of consultations, which was 4.5 during the pandemic period, rose to 6.95 during the normalization period and to 22.13 in the post-pandemic period. Across the pandemic, normalization, and post-pandemic periods, the most common reason for child and adolescent psychiatric consultations was suicide attempt. Moreover, an upward trend in the average monthly number of suicide attempt-related consultations was observed during the normalization and post-pandemic periods. This study highlights the changes in child and adolescent mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing notable differences in the number of psychiatric consultation referrals and diagnostic profiles. The findings indicate an increased demand for mental health services among children and adolescents in the post-pandemic period, with a marked rise in anxiety disorders and suicide attempts. These results suggest that the pandemic has had not only short-term but also long-lasting effects on child and adolescent mental health, underscoring the importance of continuity, accessibility and early intervention strategies in mental health services during similar societal crises.