INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought multiple psychosocial burdens to the population and heterogeneous effects on different population groups are to be expected. However, psychosocial burden cannot be quantified easily. Unlike infection figures or bed occupancy rates there is no generally established indicator for mental health that can be reported daily. It is thus necessary to look at several different indicators together regularly. *** METHODS: Commissioned by the Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection a concept was developed to improve the data situation and explore which data is suitable and available for a regular monitoring. Data from the areas of psychosocial stress within the general population, family stress and violence, unemployment, (treated) mental illnesses and suicidality is included in an ongoing monitoring process. *** RESULTS:
The data included indicates a continuing increase in psychosocial stress in the population. Among children and adolescents hospital admissions due to certain mental disorders and suicidal behaviour have increased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, with the situation worsening in 2021. *** DISCUSSION: Despite limitations (e.g. limited data availability, bias in some data sources), the joint analysis of various indicators makes it possible to depict developments in the psychosocial health of the Austrian population.