Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Service Utilization in a Mental Health Referral Unit in Northeast Brazil

Purpose : This study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of psychiatric consultations in a specialized mental health service serving two socioeconomically vulnerable municipalities in Northeast Brazil: Camocim and Granja. Methods : A quasiexperimental design was employed using interrupted time series analysis of routinely collected data from psychiatric consultations between 2017 and 2022. Demographic, clinical, and pharmacological data were extracted from medical records. Spatial and temporal trends were analysed to assess variations in incidence and service demand before and during the pandemic. Results : Psychiatric consultations increased by 60.4% during the pandemic compared to the preceding three years. Anxiety disorders were the most prevalent, particularly among women and young adults. Spatial analyses revealed a concentration of consultations in urban centers, suggesting persistent geographic inequities in access. While an upward trend was evident prior to the pandemic, this pattern plateaued during the pandemic, possibly indicating service saturation. Conclusion : The findings highlight a substantial increase in mental health care demand during the COVID-19 pandemic in structurally underserved settings. They underscore the need to strengthen mental health systems and implement context-specific policies aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which promotes mental health and well-being through prevention and early intervention.