Rising Mental Health Hospitalizations: Teenage Girls and Adult Population in England

A study analyzing private insurance claims reveals that during the second year of the pandemic, there was a 22% increase in mental health emergency visits to emergency rooms by teenage girls aged 13 to 17, compared to a pre-pandemic baseline. The rise was particularly notable for eating disorders and suicidal behavior. In contrast, there was a 9% drop in emergency room visits for mental health issues among teenage boys. The study suggests that disruptions in school, separation from peers, and conflict at home may have disproportionately affected girls. The increase in mental health emergencies among young people, especially girls, highlights the need for improved access to mental health care and resources.