Dresden (dpa/sn) – The proportion of mentally ill children and young people in Saxony has not increased significantly compared to before and during the corona pandemic. This is the result of a study presented in Dresden on Tuesday by the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs. The results would also coincide with other national and international studies, it said. The study was commissioned by the ministry at the end of 2021.
“Corona has undoubtedly demanded a lot from children and young people, not only in Saxony. But they have also taken on a lot of responsibility,” said Minister of Health Petra Köpping (SPD). According to the study, the prevalence – i.e. the proportion of those surveyed who were ill – increased in close temporal relation to the pandemic for depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders. Especially with the girls. There were no noticeable changes in the boys.
The study focused on children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 years. The focus was primarily on mentally ill children who were being treated. All anonymous diagnoses submitted to the statutory health insurance companies in Saxony by doctors or psychotherapists between the beginning of 2018 and the end of 2021 were evaluated. In addition, 33 expert interviews were conducted and evaluated by experts.
