Psychiatric emergency events and risk factors among patients with severe mental disorders: an 8-year retrospective analysis in an urban district of Beijing.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics and associated factors of psychiatric emergencies among patients with severe mental disorders using 8-year consecutive data from an urban district of Beijing, so as to inform evidence-based strategies for preventing and responding to such events in community mental health settings.

METHODS

A 1:1 age- and gender-matched case-control study was conducted. We included 349 patients who received emergency psychiatric interventions between 2018 and 2025 (case group) and 349 matched controls with no history of such events during the same period.

RESULTS

Within the case group, most participants were young-to-middle-aged males diagnosed with schizophrenia. The leading indications for intervention were risk of harm to others/public safety (36.10%) and aggressive behaviors (26.07%). Multivariable regression identified seven independent risk factors, while regular community rehabilitation was a protective factor (all P < 0.05). The post-COVID-19 period (2023-2025) saw a significantly higher incidence than the COVID-19 containment period (2020-2022, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Males, young and middle-aged adults, and schizophrenia patients are key populations for community psychiatric emergency management. These events result from combined sociodemographic, clinical, familial, and community factors. Targeted interventions can effectively reduce emergency rates, providing scientific evidence for community mental health practice.