Shocking numbers: Corona crisis increases mental need for young people!

Shocking numbers: Corona crisis increases mental need for young people!

Wien, Österreich - On July 5, 2025, the FPÖ targets the worrying developments in the mental health of children and adolescents. FPÖ federal party chairman Herbert Kickl comments on the devastating consequences of the Corona measures based on inquiries that document an alarming increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs. The figures show that the number of young patients affected in Austria rose from 21,500 in 2018 to 29,300 in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 36 percent. In addition, the number of regulations issued has also increased from 138,100 to 216,400, which is equivalent to 57 percent growth. This applies in particular to psychostimulants such as Ritalin, antidepressants as well as sleeping and sedative.

This alarming data was collected in a request from MP Sebastian Schwaighofer, which reveals the serious effects of pandemic to the latest generation. Paul Plener, head of child and adolescent psychiatry at AKH Vienna, describes the situation as dramatic and reports of overcrowded stations, which illustrates the seriousness of the psychological problems among children. As early as 2021, reports indicated an increase in eating disorders, depression and thoughts of suicide. This worrying development resulted in an increase in suicide rate for less than 20 year olds in 2022. Clinics also reported three times as many cases of suicidal danger as before pandemic.

political reactions and responsibility

Herbert Kickl criticizes the government's carelessness in relation to the mental health of young people and demands a clear responsibility for the negative consequences of corona policy. Vice President of the Federal Association for Psychotherapy, Peter Stippl, supports these statements and emphasizes the serious consequences that have the corona measures for the mental health of many young people.

In addition, a nationwide study on health surveillance provides important findings on the effects of corona pandemicism on children and adolescents. As part of the "Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC)"-study 2022, 6,475 students aged 11 to 15 years. The results show a mixed picture: While about half of the respondents had a positive effect on social relationships, around a third of the deterioration of their mental health and school performance reported. In particular, 11-year-olds, boys and respondents with high family prosperity stated that they had experienced positive changes.

long -term consequences and future outlook

The study underlines the need to take into account both positive and negative feedback in future health promotion measures. While positive developments can serve as the basis for the basis for no need -oriented approaches, it is also imperative to take the negative assessments of young people, especially girls and children from socially weaker conditions. In the future, research should deal intensively with the long -term consequences of pandemic for the development of young people.

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