An analysis of hospital data shows statewide emergency department visits among patients under 18 for mental health treatment have increased in recent years.

When looking at data spanning the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2023, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association found that emergency department visits with anxiety and depression diagnoses increased in pediatric patients.

According to a news release from the association, the first quarter of 2023 saw the highest volume recorded, with numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

On average, hospitals in the Virginia saw approximately 3,054 pediatric emergency department visits for anxiety and depression each quarter.

Two-thirds of the diagnoses were related to unspecified anxiety disorder (33%) and single episodes of unspecified major depressive disorders (33%).

About 69% of the visits were female patients. The data follows statistics seen in Northern Virginia.

Last year, a report from the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia found that youth in Northern Virginia have experienced high rates of clinical depression, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness or sadness. It also showed that girls and students in the LGBTQ community felt persistent sadness at twice the rate of their peers.

To address the increase, the report made several recommendations including, focusing on mental health outreach to at-risk youth and expanding the number of trusting, supportive adults in a teenager's life.

The statewide increase in emergency room visits also follows a trend seen nationwide. Last summer, the joint paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians and Emergency Nurses Association, said emergency rooms have been overwhelmed by a surge in mental health emergencies.

The organizations called for systemic changes and more resources, saying strategies to address challenging circumstances that affect prehospital services, the surrounding community and, ultimately, patient care are needed.

Two-thirds of the diagnoses were related to unspecified anxiety disorder (33%) and single episodes of unspecified major depressive disorders (33%).

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More young people with depression, anxiety in Virginia | Headlines - InsideNoVa