Clinical characteristics of mental health presentations of children and young adults to the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sydney, Australia.

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have demonstrated the prevalence of children and young adults with mental health (MH)-related problems presenting to EDs is increasing in Australia and overseas. The present study aimed to examine clinical characteristics and contributing factors in relation to MH ED presentations of children and young adults, aged 10-24 years, before and after the long Sydney COVID-19 lockdown period in 2021.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of electronic medical records (eMR) of MH presentations to three metropolitan EDs during January to April 2021 (phase 1) and October to December 2021 (phase 2).

RESULTS

Of the 1748 total ED presentations, 19% were ≤16 years, over half were female (63%) and 60% presented after hours. A third (37%) were detained under the Mental Health Act. The most common presenting problems were 'suicidal ideation' (33%), followed by drug or alcohol poisoning or intoxication (18%) and 'self-harm' (15%). COVID-19 as a contributing factor for presentation increased in phase 2 (from 5% to 25%).

CONCLUSION

In this multicentre retrospective study of children and young adults, we found a relatively high re-presentation rate and an increase in COVID-19-related issues as specific contributing factors to ED presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.