Throughout the pandemic, the lockdowns, social isolation, and relentless anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 have driven a surge in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related mental health conditions among children and teenagers. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that pediatric emergency room visits due to mental health conditions skyrocketed during the pandemic. The proportion of mental health visits among kids ages 5 to 11 increased by 24 percent from March to October 2020 and by 31 percent among adolescents ages 12 to 17. The proportion of ER visits related to eating disorders doubled among adolescent females. According to the researchers, the lack of structure in teenagers’ daily routines, emotional distress, and fluctuations in food availability likely contributed to the rise in eating disorders.
