COVID-19 Pandemic Drives Surge in Pediatric Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidality

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every facet of daily life, leaving a lasting impact on children’s and adolescents' mental health worldwide. School closures, social isolation, and constant uncertainty contributed to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal behaviors among young people. A recent review published by Xia & He Publishing in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine offers an in-depth look at this troubling trend, compiling data across countries and examining potential strategies for addressing these growing mental health challenges in pediatric populations.

Significant Rise in Mental Health Disorders Among Youth

Studies show a substantial increase in anxiety and depression rates among children and teens during the pandemic, with some findings indicating depressive symptoms in up to 25% of youth worldwide. In the U.S., 44% of adolescents reported feelings of hopelessness, a pattern also observed in Canada and Australia. Globally, 20% of young people reported anxiety symptoms, with Denmark and Canada documenting higher rates of 44% and 45%, respectively. Alarming rises in suicidal ideation and behaviors were also noted. For example, emergency room visits related to suicidal ideation rose by 50% among U.S. girls, and Catalonia, Spain, reported a 195% increase in suicidal behaviors among young females in the pandemic’s first year.

Why the Surge in Pediatric Mental Health Issues Matters

Understanding the rise in mental health issues among youth is critical for healthcare providers, policymakers, and educators working to address the pandemic’s lasting effects. The pandemic reinforced contamination fears and intensified obsessive-compulsive symptoms among young people, with between 38% and 73% of adolescents in studies from Canada and Denmark experiencing worsened symptoms. Experts attribute much of this distress to “intolerance of uncertainty” (IU)—a difficulty coping with unpredictable situations that contributed to pandemic-heightened anxiety, depression, and OCD symptoms in youth. IU has emerged as a framework for understanding why some youth experienced greater distress and may help guide targeted interventions.

Clinical Implications and Future Directions

Routine mental health screenings are recommended as part of pediatric care in the post-pandemic era. Screening tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) for anxiety can support early identification and guide treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a widely recommended approach, addresses pandemic-related mental health issues through psychoeducation, behavioral activation, and exposure to uncertainty. However, research gaps persist. Future studies should focus on underrepresented populations, such as undocumented and low-income youth, and further explore interventions targeting pandemic-specific stressors.

Moving Forward

The pandemic’s toll on pediatric mental health underscores the importance of early detection, comprehensive mental health services, and targeted interventions to mitigate long-term effects on youth. As healthcare providers address the evolving needs of children and adolescents, research and clinical practices focused on intolerance of uncertainty and resilience-building strategies could better prepare youth for future public health crises.