Mental health concerns rise amidst pandemic

RITZVILLE – In his monthly report to Adams County Commissioners on COVID-19, Health Official Dr. Alexander Brzezny reported upwards of three to four million Washingtonians are or will likely experience clinically significant behavioral health symptoms within the next several months, including children, youth and young adults.

Brzezny reported children, youth and young adults are the demographic group of extreme concern.

"What we were sensing about our youth and COVID have played out. Small counties have limited resources to respond to mental health emergencies," Brzezny said.

Brzezny shared statistics from Mental Health America reports for 2020 and 2021 on the status of behavioral health for youth in Washington state, including Washington ranking 35th nationally in access to behavioral health care for youth ages 12-17.

Data presented included the number of youth experiencing a major depressive episode increased by 99,000 individuals from last year's national dataset.

The Mental Health Report America also reported in Washington in 2020, there were 75,000 children identified as having a major depressive episode, and in 2021 so far, that number has already climbed to 85,000.

Brzezny reported pediatric hospitalization data of admissions to hospitals in Washington. Sacred Heart Children's Hospital reported admissions to the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit were up 73% in 2020, and admissions for pediatric behavioral health issues were up 68%.

At Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma, a 14-day average of admissions for mental health were up 67% in 2021, versus in 2020. Sixty percent of those admissions were for patients above 14 years of age, and 40% were age 14 and younger.

Swedish Hospital reported of all pediatric admissions, in January and February, 24.5% were for mental health or suicide attempts, compared to 6.25% in 2019 and 10.8% in 2018.

For the month of March alone, Swedish Hospital reported 149 patients awaiting a psychiatric bed; 750 emergency room bed-days were for children awaiting psychiatric treatment; and seven kids waited over three weeks for a psychiatric bed.

"For youth, teens, and young adults we anticipate an increase in risk-oriented behaviors in the spring and summer due to the degree of psychological impact those groups have experienced," Brzezny said. "Acting out, including substance use, violence and aggression is likely to increase over the summer months as temperatures increase and if additional restrictions are put in place."

Brzezny suggested factually based information that clearly identifies potential risks and encourages personal responsibility should be prioritized during the next several months in order to mitigate acting out with risky and impulsive behaviors as much as possible.

Brzezny included suggestions for coping with COVID-19 from the National Institute of Mental Health, including taking breaks from the news, making time to unwind, setting goals and priorities, taking care of your body, connecting with others, and focusing on the facts.

Brzezny shared a hotline for those looking for support. Washington Listens can be reached at 1-833-681-0211.