# Utilization of mental health services during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic – a systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows how mental health service use changed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer inpatient visits and more telemedicine use.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive meta-analysis of mental health service utilization changes during the initial phase of the pandemic.

## Key findings

- Inpatient mental health services saw a significant decrease during the pandemic.
- Telemedicine use increased significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Psychotropic medication prescriptions remained largely unchanged.

## Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to infectious disease management and mental health services (MHS). Service demand and delivery changed due to fear of infection, economic hardships, and the psychological effects of protective measures. This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to quantify these impacts on different mental health service settings.

Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO, focusing on studies published from the initial outbreak of COVID-19, starting in November 2019. Studies were included comparing the utilization of mental health inpatient, emergency department (ED), and outpatient services (including telemedicine and medication prescriptions) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A random-effects model was employed to estimate pooled effects, with study quality assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Among 128 studies, significant decreases in utilization were observed during the initial phase of the pandemic for inpatient services (RR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.85) and ED visits (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.10). Outpatient services showed a similar decline (RR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.92), while no significant change was found in psychotropic medication prescriptions (RR: 0.90, CI: 0.77 to 1.05). In contrast, telemedicine utilization increased significantly (RR: 7.57, 95% CI: 3.63 to 15.77).

The findings reveal substantial shifts in mental health service utilization during the pandemic, with the largest reductions in inpatient services and significant increases in telemedicine use. These results emphasize the need for flexible healthcare models. Further research is essential to evaluate the consequences of reduced MHS utilization.