Post-COVID-19 increases in depression and other psychiatric disorders among Saudi children and adolescents

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  • 1

    The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased psychiatric referrals among Saudi youth aged 3–18 years.

  • 2

    Post-pandemic, there were notable rises in depressive, anxiety, sleep-wake, and feeding disorders among pediatric patients.

  • 3

    The study excluded 2020 data due to the suspension of routine psychiatric services, ensuring accurate trend analysis.

  • 4

    Findings from Saudi Arabia align with regional and international literature on increased mental health issues post-pandemic.

  • 5

    Expanded screening and early intervention services are essential to address the long-term impact of increased psychiatric morbidity.

Original Source(s)

Post-COVID-19 increases in depression and other psychiatric disorders among Saudi children and adolescents

  • by Ahmed M. Almai, Jay A. Salpekar, Anwar Alotaibi, Abdulsamad Al Jishi, Bayan Alabdulbaqi

  • March 19, 2026

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