Study: 1.5 million children experienced anxiety, depression during the pandemic

According to a new study, around 1.5 million U.S. children have experienced depression and/or anxiety during the first year of the pandemic. 

The study by the 2022 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which is an annual report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, found that there was a 26 percent jump in children between the ages of 3 to 17 struggling with two conditions between 2016 and 2020.

Lisa Hamilton, President, and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation said in a statement, “Mental health is just as important as physical health in a child’s ability to thrive. As our nation continues to navigate the fallout from COVID-19, policymakers must ensure all kids have access to the care they need to cope and live full live.”

An index in the study which tracks the well-being of children noted there was an uptick in attempted suicide, and more so among children of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Looking at the index data provided, 9 percent of high school age students attempted suicide, as opposed to 12 percent of Black students, 13 percent of students of two or more races, more than 25 percent of American Indian or Native Alaskan high schools and 23 percent of LGBTQ+ students. 

The survey data from March showed more than a quarter of children in the United States has seen a mental health specialist during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 60 percent of those visits taking place in the past year.