COVID-19 testing and mental health service utilization in Ontario: a population-based cohort study

To examine differences in mental health-related healthcare utilization for anxiety and depression between individuals who did and did not undergo COVID-19 PCR testing in Ontario. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with changes in mental health and healthcare utilization.

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using linked ICES data, including 6,175,114 adults (January 2020-March 2021). Exposure was PCR-positive, PCR-negative, or untested. The outcome was time to first mental health-related healthcare use for anxiety and depression, identified using validated codes. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated using Cox models with propensity score matching.

Individuals who underwent testing had higher mental health-related healthcare utilization than untested individuals. This was observed in PCR-positive (aHR 6.37; 95% CI 6.25-6.50) and PCR-negative groups (aHR 5.91; 95% CI 5.87-5.95). Higher utilization occurred among younger individuals, females, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Results were consistent in matched analyses.

Individuals underwent testing had higher mental health service utilization; similar estimates across PCR-positive and PCR-negative groups suggest testing reflects underlying vulnerability and healthcare-seeking behavior rather than a causal effect on mental health outcomes.