Seasonal and Long-Term Trends on Involuntary Mental Health Admissions in Attica, Greece

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess any seasonal and long-term trends on involuntary admissions. Seasonal pattern and long-term variation were examined statistically and analyzed using Poisson models with robust standard errors, including 1-year period Fourier terms and a linear time term. Maximum (+6.5%) and minimum (−6.1%) within-year values were estimated to occur during mid-June and mid-December, respectively. Estimated long-term trend was more pronounced in the mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of drugs and organic mental disorder diagnoses groups and in the 16–29 and 65+ age groups.

Keywords

• mental health
• involuntary admissions
• seasonality
• trends