[00:00:00] Christmas and New Year's Eve are just around the corner. The holiday season brings promise of new memories and high expectations, yet can trigger stress and conflict. For some, feelings of loneliness intensify, leading to mental distress with people seeking emergency psychiatric hospitalizations. Psychologists wanted to know is there evidence for more psychiatric emergencies around Christmas? Swiss researchers reviewed 25 studies examining annual and Christmas related changes in suicide attempts, such psychiatric emergencies and 26,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. europe and South America. They also analyzed acute admissions around Christmas and Easter, with Easter as a comparison.
[00:00:37] Christmas did not show increased psychiatric emergencies, with lower psychiatric hospitalizations on Christmas and on other holidays. Compared to regular days, Christmas admissions were 25% lower and Easter admissions were 21% lower. Compared to the yearly average, December had the lowest admission numbers, with Christmas Days December 23rd to 26th having fewer admissions. As the holidays approach, take comfort in the research. The season doesn't necessarily bring a spike in crises. Whether you're celebrating with family, friends or solo, remember that your kindness, being helpful and understanding can make this time of year a little brighter for everyone. Relax and enjoy yourselves.
