Child and youth mental health referrals and care planning needs during the pandemic waves

The global coronavirus pandemic led to significant changes in the daily lives of children and youth, including increased exposure to family hardships, school closures, and virtual delivery of mental health and educational services. In this study, routine care data from 28 mental health agencies in Ontario, Canada, obtained using the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health (ChYMH) instrument, were utilized to compare children's mental health assessment volumes and care planning needs between prepandemic (n = 5636) and postpandemic waves (n = 5743). Findings from a period of five pandemic waves highlighted a sudden drop in assessments at the start of the pandemic, with gradual recovery. Care planning needs to address weight management and suicide risk increased during the pandemic, whereas criminality involvement, educational needs, and interpersonal conflict declined. Service system access was not differentially influenced by age, but was by gender, in-patient status, and some indicators of marginalization. Limitations and clinical implications are discussed.