Key Points

Oscour® Network Emergency Department Visit Indicators:

• Among adults of all ages, the number of emergency room visits for mental health issues in January–February 2022 was generally similar to that of 2021 and slightly lower than the average for the years 2018–2020. However, by age group, a difference is observed among those aged 65 and older, for whom an increase was noted in November–December 2021, followed by a stabilization in January–February 2022 at a level significantly higher than the 2018–2020 average. Among children, no warning signs were observed for emergency department visits due to mental health issues in 2021 or in January–February 2022.

• Among those aged 11 and older, the number of emergency department visits for suicidal acts in January–February 2022 is slightly lower than in 2021 during the same period but remains higher than the average observed during January–February 2018–2020. Overall, the number of visits for suicide attempts in 2021 was higher than the 2018–2020 average, regardless of age group, and particularly among those aged 11–17. Among those aged 18–24, a peak in the number of visits for suicide attempts was observed in May–June, regardless of the year.

• In 2022, the number of visits for anxiety disorders, across all age groups, remained stable compared to 2021 and was significantly lower than the average number of visits from 2018–2020. However, disparities are observed by age group: among 11- to 17-year-olds, the number of visits for anxiety disorders in January–February 2022 is higher than that recorded during the same period in 2021 and close to the 2018–2020 average. The increase observed in late 2021 has therefore stabilized in 2022 but remains to be monitored closely. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, a peak in the number of visits for anxiety disorders was observed in May–June 2021, at a level higher than the 2018–2020 average for the same period.

• Other mental health monitoring indicators from the Oscour® network show no notable adverse trends for 2022 or 2021.

For more information:

• Mental Health: View epidemiological data for French Guiana

• Mental health: view epidemiological data for all regions

• Mental health: view national epidemiological data

• 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

• View our thematic dossier on Mental Health