Mental illness was the cause of almost one in five hospitalizations in 2022
Mental illnesses were the cause of nearly one in five hospital treatments for 10- to 17-year-olds in 2022. Following injuries and poisonings, they were the second most common reason for inpatient treatment of children and adolescents, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden on Tuesday.
In 2022, approximately 81,000 out of around 435,900 hospital patients aged 10 to 17 were treated inpatient for mental illnesses and behavioral disorders. This accounted for 19 percent of all hospital treatments in this age group.
Girls were more frequently affected. While nearly a quarter (24 percent) of all treatment cases involved this diagnosis for them, it was 13 percent for boys. Overall, the proportion of children and adolescents treated inpatient for mental illnesses and behavioral disorders has been increasing in recent years. In 2012, this was the case for around 79,300 or 13 percent of all clinic patients in this age group.
The majority of the 81,000 hospital patients treated for mental illnesses in 2022 were under the care of medical professionals. Theemental health issue was the third most prevalent reason for inpatient treatment among 10- to 17-year-olds, after injuries and poisonings.
