A study examined the impact of seasonality on psychiatric hospital admissions for affective and schizophrenic disorders, investigating both voluntary and involuntary admissions over a span from October 1992 to August 2020. The systematic review involved data from 31 studies, highlighting a consistent pattern of increased admissions during spring and summer months. This seasonality was apparent across various types of severe mental illnesses, including affective disorders and schizophrenia, with the review suggesting that meteorological and environmental factors could significantly influence the exacerbation and management of these conditions.

The review also evaluated the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing stigmatization and improving the portrayal of schizophrenia in the media. StigmaWatch, an anti-stigma campaign, reached out to media professionals with educational material to raise awareness about the consequences of stigmatizing language. Although the campaign saw a moderate response rate with one-third of the professionals engaging, about 14% reported taking action to correct misleading representations in their output. These actions highlight a move toward more accurate and sensitive media depictions of mental health issues.

Reference: Rizavas I, Gournellis R, Douzenis P, et al. A Systematic Review on the Impact of Seasonality on Severe Mental Illness Admissions: Does Seasonal Variation Affect Coercion? Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jul 28;11(15):2155. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11152155. PMID: 37570395; PMCID: PMC10418389.