Die COVID-19-Pandemie und psychische Störungen bei Minderjährigen: Belastungen, psychische Störungen, Teilhabe und langfristige Folgen

The psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children are evident. Psychosocial burdens increase the risk for psychiatric disorders, but it is not a disorder for itself. Risk factors for psychiatric disorders within and after the pandemic are the same as before the pandemic: poverty, low educational status, psychiatric disorders of parents. For children who suffer on a psychiatric disorder, the pandemic may have worsened symptoms or social participation. The pandemic illustrated weaknesses within health and social welfare systems in Germany. Whereas numerous studies have been published on short term effects on mental health, long-term studies and studies on at-risk populations are needed. Mental health of children is one of the major public health issues in Germany - even after the pandemic. Health care system can react on increased demands for care by transition to more flexible treatment offers. Recommendations for long-term adaption of German health care system for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders include a risk-adapted care, comprehensive interdisciplinary health care offers for severe ill children and combined offers from several Social Law Codes.