In light of the unprecedented public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly important to acknowledge the psychological impact of this mounting threat on healthcare professionals. Previous experience from smaller scale epidemics and emerging literature around COVID-19 show that the unparalleled amount of stress that healthcare workers are dealing with, is associated with increased psychological morbidities. We have depicted the psychological burden that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on healthcare professionals in Greece and have reviewed the literature around the effect of previous epidemics on frontline healthcare staff. Moreover, we discuss potential triggers and the need for measures to minimise the psychological pressure on those at the frontline against this biothreat.

There is accumulating evidence in the literature indicating that a number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) may experience a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, persisting or even presenting following the resolution of acute COVID‑19. Among the neuropsychiatric manifestations more frequently associated with ‘long COVID’ are depression, anxiety, post‑traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, fatigue and cognitive deficits, that can potentially be debilitating and negatively affect patients' wellbeing, albeit in the majority of cases symptoms tend to improve over time. Despite variations in results obtained from studies using different methodological approaches to define ‘long COVID’ syndrome, the most widely accepted factors associated with a higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric manifestations include the severity of foregoing COVID‑19, the female sex, the presence of comorbidities, a history of mental health disease and an elevation in the levels of inflammatory markers, albeit further research is required to establish causal associations. To date, the pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in neuropsychiatric manifestations of ‘long COVID’ remain only partially elucidated, while the role of the indirect effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic, such as social isolation and uncertainty concerning social, financial and health recovery post‑COVID, have also been highlighted. Given the alarming effects of ‘long‑COVID’, interdisciplinary cooperation for the early identification of patients who are at a high risk of persistent neuropsychiatric presentations, beyond COVID‑19 recovery, is crucial to ensure that appropriate integrated physical and mental health support is provided, with the aim of mitigating the risks of long‑term disability at a societal and individual level.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signals and dopaminergic function in the brain are strongly associated, and research on BDNF in schizophrenia may enhance our insights on the pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease. In the present study we aimed to investigate the possible association between serum BDNF levels and schizophrenic relapses and the possible differential effects of treatment with typical and atypical antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels in the same group of patients. We measured serum BDNF levels in 47 patients with schizophrenia during a relapse and again 6 weeks after administration of antipsychotic treatment (14 on risperidone, 18 on haloperidol, 10 on olanzapine and five on amisulpride) and in 44 healthy volunteers. Patients with schizophrenia showed reduced serum BDNF levels in relation to healthy volunteers at study entry. No significant differences were revealed in BDNF serum levels after 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in the patients compared to their own levels at study entry. However, serum BDNF was significantly increased in the subgroup receiving olanzapine compared to the other antipsychotics. Our findings may indicate a differential effect of olanzapine on BDNF levels compared to haloperidol, risperidone, and amisulpride.

Research on length of stay (LOS) of psychiatric inpatients is an under-investigated issue. In this naturalistic study factors which affect LOS of two groups of patients were investigated, focusing on the impact on LOS of medical comorbidity severe enough to require referral.

Since its outbreak, in December, 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) has evolved into an ongoing global pandemic. Due to the novel antigenic properties of this virus, the world population could not develop immunity effectively and this led to the subsequent spread of COVID‑19. This caused an unprecedented emergency situation with significant negative effects on health and well‑being both on an individual and societal level. Apart from health, economic and social consequences, the impact of this pandemic on mental health is increasingly being reported in the scientific literature. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive discussion of the possible neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations of SARS‑CoV‑2, together with the related underlying molecular pathways. In addition, the present review focused on populations which are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disturbances due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and discussed possible routes of clinical management and therapeutics to minimize the burden associated with psychiatric disorders. Moreover, research findings exploring the prevalence of COVID‑19‑related post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms across vulnerable groups, including children, adolescents and COVID‑19 survivors are presented, with particular emphasis on those with severe disease who required hospitalization and/or intensive care unit admission. Based on the available literature, the identification of potential determinants associated with PTSD across the different populations is underlined. Lessons learnt from the pandemics across the globe together with the ongoing research on COVID‑19 and its impact on mental health, highlight the utmost importance for evidence‑based, proactive and targeted interventions in high‑risk groups aiming to mitigate the risks and manage vulnerabilities.