Key Points

Oscour® network emergency department visit indicators:

• Among adults of all ages, the number of emergency department visits for mental health issues in January–February 2022 was lower than in 2021 and than in previous years (2018–2020) during the same period. A peak higher than in previous years was observed at the beginning of 2021. The indicator is declining in 2022.

• Among children of all ages, the number of emergency room visits for mental health issues in January–February 2022 was lower than in 2021 but comparable to previous years during the same period. The total number of emergency room visits recorded in 2021 was significantly higher compared to the average for the years 2018 to 2020. Nevertheless, visits decreased during 2021, reaching by the end of the year (November–December) the average level observed from 2018 to 2020. A peak in visits significantly higher than in previous years was observed at the beginning of 2021. Indicator declining in 2022.

• Despite low case numbers, an increase in emergency room visits for suicidal ideation was observed among those aged 11 and older, particularly among those aged 18 and older, starting in May–June 2021 compared to previous years. The increase in emergency room visits for suicidal ideation across all age groups persisted into early 2022.

• Other mental health monitoring indicators from the Oscour® network show no notable recent changes.

For more information:

• Mental Health: View epidemiological data for all regions

• Mental health: view national epidemiological updates

• Visit our page on the CoviPrev survey, which tracks changes in behavior and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic

• Visit our "Mental Health and Covid-19" page

• Visit our Mental Health thematic section