BACKGROUND: Countries worldwide are experiencing a third wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Government-imposed restrictive measures continue with undetermined effects on physical and mental health. AIMS: To compare child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) referrals over 11 months (January-November) in 2020, 2019 and 2018 and examine any impact the different phases of the COVID-19 restrictions might have on referral rates. METHOD: Monthly CAMHS Health Service Executive data were examined, covering a catchment population of 260 560 or 12.7% of all youth (age group 0-18 years) in Ireland. The total number of urgent and routine referrals, appointments offered, rates of non-attendances and discharge outcome are presented. RESULTS: There was a significant drop in referrals in 2020, compared with prior years (χ2 = 10.3, d.f. = 2, P = 0.006). Referrals in 2020 dropped from March to May by 11% and from June to August by 10.3%. From September, both routine and urgent referrals increased by 50% compared with previous years (2018/2019), with the highest increase in November 2020 (180%). Clinic activity also increased from September, with double the number of out-patient appointments offered, compared with previous years (χ2 = 5171.72, d.f. = 3, P < 0.001) and lower (6.6%) rates of non-attendance (χ2 = 868.35, d.f. = 3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In 2020, following an initial decline, referrals to CAMHS increased consistently from September. Such unprecedented increase in referrals places further strain on services that are already underresourced and underfunded, with the likelihood of increased waiting lists post COVID-19. It is envisaged that once the pandemic is over, resources will be even more constrained, and CAMHS will be urgently in need of additional ring-fenced funding.
BACKGROUND: Countries worldwide are experiencing a third wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Government-imposed restrictive measures continue with undetermined effects on physical and mental health. AIMS: To compare child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) referrals over 11 months (January-November) in 2020, 2019 and 2018 and examine any impact the different phases of the COVID-19 restrictions might have on referral rates. METHOD: Monthly CAMHS Health Service Executive data were examined, covering a catchment population of 260 560 or 12.7% of all youth (age group 0-18 years) in Ireland. The total number of urgent and routine referrals, appointments offered, rates of non-attendances and discharge outcome are presented. RESULTS: There was a significant drop in referrals in 2020, compared with prior years (χ2 = 10.3, d.f. = 2, P = 0.006). Referrals in 2020 dropped from March to May by 11% and from June to August by 10.3%. From September, both routine and urgent referrals increased by 50% compared with previous years (2018/2019), with the highest increase in November 2020 (180%). Clinic activity also increased from September, with double the number of out-patient appointments offered, compared with previous years (χ2 = 5171.72, d.f. = 3, P < 0.001) and lower (6.6%) rates of non-attendance (χ2 = 868.35, d.f. = 3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In 2020, following an initial decline, referrals to CAMHS increased consistently from September. Such unprecedented increase in referrals places further strain on services that are already underresourced and underfunded, with the likelihood of increased waiting lists post COVID-19. It is envisaged that once the pandemic is over, resources will be even more constrained, and CAMHS will be urgently in need of additional ring-fenced funding.
Authors: Philip Hyland; Frédérique Vallières; Mark Shevlin; Richard P Bentall; Sarah Butter; Todd K Hartman; Thanos Karatzias; Anton P Martinez; Orla McBride; Jamie Murphy; Robert Fox Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2022-07-01 Impact factor: 7.818
Authors: Susan E Bronskill; Laura C Maclagan; Colleen J Maxwell; Andrea Iaboni; R Liisa Jaakkimainen; Connie Marras; Xuesong Wang; Jun Guan; Daniel A Harris; Abby Emdin; Aaron Jones; Nadia Sourial; Claire Godard-Sebillotte; Isabelle Vedel; Peter C Austin; Richard H Swartz Journal: JAMA Health Forum Date: 2022-01-21
Authors: Ladislav Timulak; Derek Richards; Louise Bhandal-Griffin; Patrick Healy; Juliana Azevedo; Graham Connon; Elaine Martin; Aoife Kearney; Conor O'Kelly; Angel Enrique; Nora Eilert; Sorcha O'Brien; Siobhan Harty; Alberto González-Robles; Elizabeth H Eustis; David H Barlow; Todd J Farchione Journal: Trials Date: 2022-08-31 Impact factor: 2.728
Authors: Amy M Tedja; Meenakshi S Shanmugam; Stephen Stathis; Christel M Middeldorp Journal: Child Adolesc Ment Health Date: 2022-08-15 Impact factor: 4.111
Authors: Anna Maria Werling; Susanne Walitza; Stephan Eliez; Renate Drechsler Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-10 Impact factor: 3.390