THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HOSPITAL MORBIDITY DUE TO MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS IN BRAZIL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PRE- AND POST-PANDEMIC PERIODS

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic constituted a large-scale public health emergency, with significant repercussions on population mental health. Factors such as social isolation, bereavement, and economic instability contributed to the worsening of mental disorders, which was reflected in increased demand for hospital admissions. Objective: To analyze trends in hospitalizations due to mental and behavioral disorders in Brazil during the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. Methods: This ecological, descriptive study was based on time-series data of hospital admissions recorded in the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). The periods analyzed were June 2016 to June 2019 (pre-pandemic) and June 2022 to June 2025 (post-pandemic), including admissions with primary diagnoses classified under ICD-10 codes F00–F99. Results: An increase in hospitalizations for mental and behavioral disorders was observed, rising from 57,424 to 111,804 records, corresponding to an approximate increase of 94.7%. The growth was more pronounced in the Southeast and Northeast regions, with a predominance of males and a higher frequency of diagnoses related to psychoactive substance use and depressive disorders. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a substantial expansion of hospital admissions for mental and behavioral disorders in the post-pandemic period, indicating the need to strengthen public policies and the psychosocial care network in Brazil.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2026.002-016