'on edge all the time:' children's mental health nearing 'crisis' in alberta's fourth wave, doctors say

diagnoses and severity of depression, anxiety and eating disorders have increased by at least 20 percent in the last four months, say doctors, some of whom worry the worst is yet to come.

although covid-19 restrictions are looser now than one year ago, mental health issues are being driven by a combination of return-to-school stress, less socializing, excessive screen time and general worry over the pandemic.

more fearful

dr. caroline buzanko, who works with youth aged five to 22 at her koru family psychology clinic in calgary, said 80 per cent of her clients are currently reporting anxiety, up from 40 per cent in april

“depressive symptoms are secondary after anxiety, more in older kids,” she said. “there’s been a 20 per cent increase since the summer.”

in calgary, psychiatrist dr. chris wilkes has found a 200 per cent increase in emergency room visits for youth under 18 for anxiety, depression and eating disorders in the last eight months.

“we’ll probably see a worsening or high level of (demand for) mental health services for some time to come,” wilkes said. “we have a crisis in terms of a demand on our services that is outstripping our resources.”

dr. rena lafrance, a psychiatrist at misericordia community hospital in edmonton, said the severity of mental health issues she is seeing in patients aged four to 18 has doubled or tripled in the last few months.

the most common issues she’s seeing are anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, acute stress, adhd and bereavement among children who lost family members to covid-19.

“that doesn’t get better when kids go online and back (to in-person learning),” she said

lafrance attributes the problem to children absorbing the fourth wave anxieties of their parents, more deaths in the news, and uncertainty about kids getting covid.

for children under 11, who can’t yet be vaccinated, lafrance said the uncertainty of not feeling fully protected is also contributing to anxiety.

“there’s been fear about bringing it home to their parents and grandparents,” she said.

“they might not be thrilled at getting an actual needle (but) my perception is they are thrilled about protecting their friends and family and themselves.”

normalcy still a ways off

for calgary pediatrician dr. april elliott, the remaining restrictions in place show youth that normalcy is still a ways off, because kids are missing out on regular social interactions due to masking and distancing.

“right now they’re being told they can’t do so many things,” she said. “and they’ve also been in an era when screen use is necessary. and it’s hard to withdraw from (screens) when they’re socially necessary.”

in edmonton, local family physician dr. doug klein concurs with the need for more collaboration in schools, as he believes most youth who need help aren’t seeking it, fuelling a crisis that could get worse before it gets better. 

to help youth manage their mental health, klein suggested that more needs to be done to encourage them to be active, as restrictions have led to an increase of inactivity, and getting more exercise can alleviate anxiety and depression. and lafrance said giving kids the opportunity to talk about their covid fears, while also working to maintain a regular home routine, can help them feel more stable amid the pandemic.

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