The impact of an early detection programme for psychosis: results from the SPEED study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: When young people first develop psychosis, it can often take months or even years before they are treated. The stigma of mental health problems and negative perceptions of mental health services can contribute to delay or prevent help-seeking by people experiencing psychosis, their families and involved professionals. This is a problem, both because of the distress young people and their families experience while psychosis is untreated and because long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with slower and less complete recovery. It is not clear from research what Early Intervention Services (EIS) should do to minimise treatment delays. In Inner London, a majority of young people are not registered with a general practitioner or in any contact with primary care services, so a focus on facilitating routes to treatment other than via health services is indicated. We developed and investigated the impact in an inner London catchment area – Camden and Islington – of an early detection programme which involved close collaboration with community organisations concerned with the education and welfare of teenagers and young adults.