Youth Mental Health in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Objective: In this article we examine the current state of youth mental health across the United States and in Delaware, and discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Methods: We review available literature detailing the short- and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health and discuss the resultant programmatic and legislative efforts in Delaware and nationally.

Results: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of young people. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents, which was already increasing pre-pandemic, spiked after the pandemic's onset. Even as public health precautions have lifted, young people continue to struggle with mental health in conjunction with lower levels of educational achievement, hindered social development, increased screen time, diminished access to effective mental healthcare, and economic instability. The negative impact of the pandemic will continue to have ramifications on the health and wellbeing of young people for years to come.

Conclusions: Compiling evidence examining mental health trends is an important first step to understanding the impact of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health and developing effective solutions.

Policy implications: Although the official state of emergency is over, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching and long-lasting. It is imperative that legislators and program administrators in Delaware and nationally work to ensure that young people and their families have access to affordable, high quality mental healthcare.