Reference: Schneider, E., Liwinski, T., Imfeld, L., Lang, U. E., & Brühl, A. B. (2023). Who is afraid of Christmas? The effect of Christmas and Easter holidays on psychiatric hospitalizations and emergencies-Systematic review and single center experience from 2012 to 2021. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 1049935. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1049935 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, psychiatric emergencies, and 26,000 hospitalizations in U.S., Europe, and South America. They also analyzed acute admissions around Christmas and Easter, with Easter as a comparison. Results? 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!

Written by Kristin M. Harris, Ph.D.