It's been revealed that the numbers of people admitted to Irish psychiatric units and hospitals increased last year and have now largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Research from the Health Research Board (HRB) found 15,723 admissions of this type last year, seeing a rise of 332 in the 2020 total.

5,758 of these were first-time admissions and 9,965 were re-admissions. Approximately two-thirds (65%) of all admissions were to a general hospital, with 24% to an independent or private hospital, and only 11% were to psychiatric hospitals or continuing care units.

The overall admissions increase changes the hypothesis of a reduction linked to the pandemic seen in 2020's figures, the HRB said.

Antoinette Daly, research officer at the HRB and one of the report's authors, said: "We are seeing a gradual return to pre-pandemic numbers being admitted for inpatient care."

According to their research, the HRB have found that there were 509 admissions of people under the age of 18 last year: 480 admissions to child and adolescent units and 29 to adult units. 70% of these under 18 admissions were female.

A significant increase in the number of admissions relating to eating disorders among young people was noted in the report as well. Among young people, eating disorder diagnoses rose to 116 last year, continuing the trend emerging in previous years. Of these cases, 96% (111) were female.

In total, the gender divide of admissions was almost equal, with 7,746 male admissions and 7,977 female admissions.

Turning to adult admissions - according to the HRB report, adults admitted were more likely to be single, unemployed and diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

Depression remained the most common diagnosis amongst adults this year, similar to previous years. Following on from depression, schizophrenia, neuroses and mania were the second, third and fourth most common diagnosis, respectively.

Reporting on age groups, the HRB found that the 20-24-year cohort accounted for 1,635 admissions and the highest rate of admissions per 100,000 population with 597.5 — which is a 10% increase since 2020.

At the other end, the lowest rate of admissions lay with the 75 years and over age group. This group had 1,025 admissions - 388.2 per 100,000 population.

The adult admissions mean age was 45 years old.

HRB chief executive Mairead O’Driscoll, said: "This year’s figures shed valuable light on trends across inpatient psychiatric care, not least the continued rise in admissions related to eating disorders in younger age groups.

"By analysing and making this data available, the HRB can provide a solid evidence basis for policy and practice — informing decision-making and ultimately helping deliver the right resources to those who need them.”

This report comes as the Government is being urged by Mental Health Reform CEO Róisín Clarke to show transparency on how the mental health budget for 2023 will be spent.

Ms Clarke said: “The Government has committed €14m for new developments in mental health services but it is unclear how much of this funding will be invested in the development of eating disorder services. People with eating disorders and their families should be able to understand what services and supports will be available to them next year.”

The CEO added: “There is a worrying pattern of under-investment in eating disorder services. In 2019 and 2020, no new funding was allocated for the development these services. In 2018, the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders promised 16 specialist eating disorder teams over five years. To date, there are just three specialist eating disorder teams. If sustained investment had been made, these life-saving services could have progressed much faster.”

Clarke continued: “We know there has been a sharp rise in eating disorders since the pandemic. Referrals to St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin increased by more than 120% last year. Young people are also presenting more medically unwell with more severe clinical presentations than prior to the pandemic.”