Here are three things to know:
- The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on Oct. 1, analyzed electronic medical records of approximately 1.7 million individuals ages 5-22 in Southern California.
- The study found that the overall incidence of depression rose by nearly 60% in that period. Anxiety diagnosed without depression increased by 31%, with the most significant spikes occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The findings also indicated that all demographic subgroups experienced increases, with rates highest among females, older adolescents and individuals from higher-income households. The study also identified disparities based on race and ethnicity, specifically among non-Hispanic White and American Indian or Alaska Native youths.
