The American journal of emergency medicine
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This study analyzes the trajectory of youth emergency department or inpatient hospital visits for depression or anxiety in Illinois before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ llinois youth depression and anxiety hospital visit rates declined significantly after the pandemic shutdown and remained stable into 2023 at levels below 2016-2019 rates. Further progress will require both clinical innovations and effective prevention grounded in a better understanding of the cultural roots of youth mental health.