A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of Mental Health Admissions: Measuring the Fallout of the Pandemic.

Background: In this research article, we review the infrequently considered long-term impact of the pandemic on inpatient mental health, by reviewing the clinical parameters of all psychiatric admissions to Mount Carmel Hospital, our region's main psychiatric healthcare facility, from 2019-2021.

Methods: 4292 patients were admitted during the research period of this retrospective longitudinal analysis. Taking 2019 as the pre-COVID reference year, we compared mean monthly admissions from 2020 and 2021, looking at patient demographics, status under the Mental Health Act, diagnosis, and self-injurious behaviour.