Epidemiologia zaburzeń psychicznych wśród dzieci i młodzieży w województwie małopolskim w latach 2010-2019
Authors: Góra Dariusz , Figura Natalia , Gregor Marcin , Luranc-Polmańska Bożena , Olszar Marta , Kudyba Iwona 
Published: February 2024

Introduction. World statistics show that from 10 to 20% of children and adolescents suffer from widely understood mental disorders, and youth suicides are the third cause of death in this age group. In Poland, this percentage is at least 9%, which means that approximately 630,000 children and adolescents under 18 require assistance from the psychiatric and psychological treatment system. The most common mental disorders among children and adolescents aged 0-18 years who visit a pediatrician, mental health clinic, drug addiction and psychoactive substance addiction clinics include behavioral and emotional disorders that usually begin in childhood and adolescence, various types of mood disorders and stress-related neurotic disorders. Aim. The aim of the article is to discuss the epidemiology of selected mental disorders in children and adolescents from the Małopolskie Voivodeship in 2010-2019. The article covers: mood disorders (F30-F39), stress-related and somatic neurotic disorders (F40-F49), and behavioral and emotional disorders that usually begin in childhood and adolescence (F90-F99). Material and methods. Data were obtained from the National Health Fund – Małopolska Branch in Krakow on the number of benefits (absolute numbers) provided for selected mental disorders among children and adolescents from 0 to 19 years of age (divided into age groups) from the Małopolskie voivodship. These data concern the years 2010-2019. Then, figures were prepared that illustrate the morbidity and hospitalization of the diseases in question. Results. In the age group between 5 and 14 years of age, the number of services provided due to the occurrence of mood (affective) disorders showed an increasing character and amounted to between 88 in 2010 and 168 in 2019. Among children and adolescents aged 15 to 19 in years 2010-2014, the number of health services provided due to stress-related neurotic disorders and in the somatic form increased and amounted to 811 and 912, respectively. The number of health services increased by as much as 208 in 2019 (1049) compared to 2018, where this number was 841. Conclusions. Conclusions: Rapid observed in recent years in Poland increase in the number of health services provided due to mental disorders raises reasonable anxiety. Mental health is a prerequisite for the proper development of children and adolescents. A real chance for a significant improvement in mental health children and adolescents is to combine large-scale prevention programs with effective and accessible, regardless of the place of residence and material resources and forms of therapy. Willing to strengthen the mental health of children and adolescents, families should be mainly supported at the level of educational competences and mental health protection parents, as well as applying legal regulations that allow parents to spend more time with with their children, make family relationships based on effective communication, monitoring and mutual support constituted a factor in protecting the mental health of children and youth, as well as support schools (take care of proper preparation teaching staff to strengthen the mental health of children and adolescents and to create appropriate conditions for work: smaller schools, less numerous classes, the appropriate climate and ethos of the school. Another important factor is working with children and adolescents to raise them life skills that enable effective coping with tasks and challenges everyday life; teaching correct is especially important communication and interpersonal skills, making decisions and thinking critically, managing stress and managing emotions as well building self-esteem and positive self-esteem.