Aims To estimate change in young people's alcohol consumption during COVID‐19 restrictions in Australia in early‐mid 2020, and test whether those changes were consistent by gender and level of consumption prior to the pandemic. Design Prospective longitudinal cohort Setting Secondary schools in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Participants Subsample of a cohort (n=443) recruited in the first year of secondary school in 2010‐11. Analysis data included three waves collected in Sep 2017 – July 2018, Sep 2018 ‐ May 2019 and Aug 2019 ‐ Jan 2020), and in May‐June 2020. Measurements The primary predictors were time, gender, and level of consumption prior to the pandemic. Outcome variables, analysed by mixed‐effects models, included frequency and typical quantity of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, peak consumption, alcohol‐related harm, and drinking contexts. Findings Overall consumption (frequency x quantity) during the restrictions declined by 17% (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73, 0.93), compared to February 2020, and there was a 34% decline in the rate of alcohol‐related harms in the same period (IRR 0.66; 95% CI 0.55, 0.80). Changes in alcohol consumption were largely consistent by gender. Conclusions From a survey of secondary school students in Australia, there is evidence for a reduction in overall consumption and related harms during the COVID‐19 restrictions.

Background Young people may have elevated risk for poorer mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, yet longitudinal studies documenting this impact are lacking. This study assessed changes in mental health and help-seeking since COVID-19 restrictions in young Australians, including gender differences. Methods Data were drawn from a recent subsample (n = 443; 60% female; Mage = 22.0) of a prospective cohort originally recruited in secondary school to complete annual surveys. The subsample completed an additional COVID-19 survey during COVID-19 restrictions (May–June 2020), which was compared to responses from their latest annual survey (August 2019–March 2020). Mixed effect models with time and gender as the primary predictors were conducted for: (i) scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression 9-item (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) modules assessed before and during COVID-19 restrictions, and (ii) self-reported help-seeking from a health professional in February 2020, and the month preceding May–June 2020. Results Mean symptom scores increased from before to during COVID-19 restrictions on the PHQ-9 (coefficient: 1.29; 95% CI 0.72–1.86) and GAD-7 (0.78; 95% CI 0.26–1.31), but there was no increase in help-seeking over time (odds ratio 0.50; 95% CI 0.19–1.32). There was no evidence of differential changes by gender. Conclusions This study found increases in depression and anxiety symptoms but not greater help-seeking among young Australian adults during the first wave of the pandemic. Increasing availability and awareness of accessible treatment options and psychoeducation is critical, as well as further research into risk and protective factors to help target treatment to this vulnerable age group.

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