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Introduction : The COVID-19 crisis and successive lockdowns profoundly altered the epidemiology of mental health and patterns of care delivery. Methods : This study aims to identify the profiles of patients newly receiving care for psychiatric disorders during the health crisis, to analyze changes in their trajectories and care pathways throughout the lockdown periods, and to compare them with individuals who were already receiving care prior to the pandemic. It also seeks to better understand triggering factors, mobilized resources, patterns of healthcare utilization, and coordination between professionals and care structures. A mixed-methods approach was used: A quantitative analysis of data from the French National Health Data System (SNDS) (2016–2021) to identify profiles of mental healthcare utilization. A qualitative analysis based on 29 interviews with individuals aged 18–24 and 50–64 who experienced psychological disorders before and/or during the health crisis. Results : The crisis had age-specific impacts: young people were more frequently hospitalized, whereas individuals aged 50–64 showed higher use of psychotropic medications. However, these trends conceal considerable heterogeneity in care trajectories, ranging from episodic care to long-term follow-up. Interviews reveal that the crisis acted as a catalyst for psychological disorders and social vulnerabilities, particularly among young adults but also among those aged 50–64. Discussion : The results show both a reorganization of care provision and healthcare utilization during the pandemic, as well as a diversity of trajectories shaped by age, prior medical history, and available resources. Moreover, the onset of disorders and engagement with care pathways do not always coincide with periods of strict lockdown. Conclusion : The health crisis highlighted, and often amplified, latent psychological and social vulnerabilities within the population.