Abstract
Objective: To analyze the admissions of people with mental health problems in a Psychosocial Care Unit of a university hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on secondary data obtained through the statistical service of a University Hospital in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Results: The analysis of 308 (100%) admissions that occurred from April to October 2019 and April to October 2020 identified that in both periods there was a prevalence of hospitalizations of white women. During the pandemic period, the number of depressive disorders increased compared to the previous period. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that the pandemic caused by the coronavirus impacts on mental health services, including inpatient services, since the necessary measures to face the emergency situation ended up influencing their functioning. Thus, it is necessary to defend and prioritize mental health services, especially in the current context.