The pandemic years and the shortage of child psychiatrists are a toxic mix: disorders are on the rise and suicide attempts have doubled. A young high school student from Gmunden in Upper Austria faces many her age with her problems.
“Young people see no other way out, the hurdles are too big, the burden too heavy and the will to continue is too small – I know how it feels,” 16-year-old Anna Marie from Gmunden showed great courage on Monday. The high school student himself suffers from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and eating disorders.
At a Kinderfreunde press conference in Linz about the high level of psychological stress in children and young people and the lack of therapeutic options, Anna Marie, as a person affected, said about the mental health of young people in times of crisis: “I will look back on my childhood and much of my memory will come from this terrible time.”
Risk of disruption greatly increased
Even before the pandemic, a third of all 10- to 17-year-old girls had an increased risk of developing an eating disorder. Now there is a significant increase. The number of suicide attempts has also doubled.
Where are the child psychiatrists?
Doris Koubek, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry in Linz: “Almost all child and adolescent psychiatric departments have no beds or specialists. This leads to significant deterioration in some patients. Simply because there is no way to treat them accordingly.”
Poor children are hit hardest
Children from poor families whose parents are mentally ill, who fail at school and/or are bullied are particularly affected. Koubek: “We know that such boys often become chronically ill adults. But politicians look the other way instead of helping.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
