The Well-Being of Washington State’s Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Behavioral Health Trends

This report uses Medicaid claims data to examine trends in children’s behavioral health diagnoses and services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington State. We examine trends in outpatient mental health services, claims with specific mental health diagnoses, claims with a suicide or self-harm diagnosis, and mental health and substance use-related emergency department claims. Trends across gender and race/ethnicity are also examined.