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A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of Mental Health Admissions: Measuring the Fallout of the Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Sean Warwicker

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta)

  • Denise Sant

    (Mater Dei Hospital, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta)

  • Adrian Richard

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta)

  • Jake Cutajar

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta)

  • Annalise Bellizzi

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta)

  • Gertrude Micallef

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta)

  • Daniel Refalo

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Liberato Camilleri

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Anton Grech

    (Mount Carmel Hospital, ATD 9033 H’Attard, Malta
    Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

Abstract

Background: In this research article, we review the infrequently considered long-term impact of the pandemic on inpatient mental health, by reviewing the clinical parameters of all psychiatric admissions to Mount Carmel Hospital, our region’s main psychiatric healthcare facility, from 2019–2021. Methods: 4292 patients were admitted during the research period of this retrospective longitudinal analysis. Taking 2019 as the pre-COVID reference year, we compared mean monthly admissions from 2020 and 2021, looking at patient demographics, status under the Mental Health Act, diagnosis, and self-injurious behaviour. Results: While the pandemic was reflected in a moderate increase in mean monthly presentations with suicidal ideation and suicidal self-injury, presentations in 2020 otherwise remained largely stable. This contrasted with a surge in presentations in 2021 with mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, personality disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Furthermore, presentations involving self-injurious behaviour continued to grow. Involuntary admissions also increased significantly in 2021. Conclusions: This paper highlights the pernicious long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health presentations, demonstrated by an increase in hospital admissions and more serious presentations. These findings should be considered in the guidance for responses to any future pandemic, giving attention to the evidence of the impact of restrictive measures on mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Sean Warwicker & Denise Sant & Adrian Richard & Jake Cutajar & Annalise Bellizzi & Gertrude Micallef & Daniel Refalo & Liberato Camilleri & Anton Grech, 2023. "A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of Mental Health Admissions: Measuring the Fallout of the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1194-:d:1030381
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia Ambrosetti & Laura Macheret & Aline Folliet & Alexandre Wullschleger & Andrea Amerio & Andrea Aguglia & Gianluca Serafini & Paco Prada & Stefan Kaiser & Guido Bondolfi & François Sarasin & Aless, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Admissions to a Large Swiss Emergency Department: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-10, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zahra Mojtahedi & Ying Guo & Pearl Kim & Parsa Khawari & Hailey Ephrem & Jay J. Shen, 2023. "Mental Health Conditions– and Substance Use—Associated Emergency Department Visits during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nevada, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, March.

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