MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: The devil is in the detail.

Recent years have seen escalating media, public and scientific interest in psychedelic medicine. Australia and New Zealand have been late to this research; however, in the past 2 years, rapid developments suggest that this is changing. Here, we argue for the need to critically review existing evidence in this field to guide future directions. We focus on (±)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, currently the most advanced area of clinical psychedelic research. Food and Drug Administration approval of this approach is likely in 2023, based on a series of promising findings. We provide a detailed overview of Phase 2 and 3 studies published to date. We identify several concerns related to this body of evidence, including methodological/design limitations and broader factors - such as robust involvement of advocacy groups in research and reliance on non-government financing leading to simplistic public messaging - that compound the methodological issues identified. We propose steps for future improvement, including the need for large, high-quality, independent efficacy trials with design enhancements, effectiveness trials and for researchers to consider their own engagement with media and public messaging around these modalities. We argue that, notwithstanding promising findings to date, rigorous and dispassionate science is needed to move the field forward and safeguard the welfare of participants.

The Role of Instrumental Swallowing Assessment in Adults in Residential Aged Care Homes: A National Modified Delphi Survey Examining Beliefs and Practices.

Many adults in residential aged care homes (RACHs) live with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and its physiological, psychosocial, and economic sequalae. Timely, evidence-based assessment of OD can help healthcare teams to create OD management plans that optimize consumer health and minimize healthcare costs. Instrumental swallowing assessment (ISA), specifically flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS), is generally accepted to be an important component of dysphagia assessment and management in older adults. However, its role in RACHs has not been empirically examined. This study aimed to explore the role and use of ISA in adults in RACHs from the perspective of speech-language-pathologists (SLPs) experienced in a RACH setting and/or FEES and VFSS. A three-round electronic Delphi study was conducted to guide 58 SLPs in Australia towards consensus using a combination of multiple-choice questions, statements with five-point Likert scale agreement options, and open-ended questions. Participants' responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis after each survey round. Feedback about group responses was provided before subsequent surveys. Consensus was defined as 70% or greater agreement. Participants reached consensus about obstacles and facilitators to the use of ISA in RACHs. Participants agreed that FEES was a valuable tool in RACHs and that a mobile service model may have advantages over standard off-site assessment. SLPs believed that appropriate governance processes, infrastructure and education were necessary to develop a safe, high-quality service. These views support equitable access to ISA across settings, aligning with person-centered care, re-ablement, and care-in-place.

Adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Mangosteen) Pericarp for Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Efficacy Trial: Péricarpe d'appoint Garcinia mangostana Linn (mangoustan) pour la schizophrénie : un essai d'efficacité de 24 semaines, à double insu, randomisé et contrôlé par placebo.

OBJECTIVES: Garcinia mangostana Linn. ("mangosteen") pericarp contains bioactive compounds that may target biological pathways implicated in schizophrenia. We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp, compared to placebo, in the treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: People diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), recruited across 2 sites (Brisbane and Victoria, Australia), were randomized to receive 24 weeks of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp (1,000 mg/day) or matched placebo. The primary outcome measure was the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale total score. Secondary outcomes included positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology, clinical global severity and improvement, participant reported overall improvement, depressive symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and safety data at 24 and 28 weeks (4 weeks postdiscontinuation). Data were collected from July 2016 to February 2019. RESULTS: Baseline assessments were conducted on 148 people (mangosteen = 74, placebo = 74); data analyses were conducted on 136 (92%) participants with postbaseline data. The treatment group had significantly higher symptom severity compared to placebo, and both groups significantly improved on all symptom, functioning, and quality of life measures over time. No between-group differences were found for the rate of change between baseline and 24 or 28 weeks. CONCLUSION: Despite promising preclinical and clinical work, our results do not support mangosteen pericarp extract as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

A randomised controlled trial of a mitochondrial therapeutic target for bipolar depression: mitochondrial agents, N-acetylcysteine, and placebo.

BACKGROUND: A phasic dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics may operate in bipolar disorder, increased in mania and decreased in depression. We aimed to examine efficacy of two add-on treatments in bipolar depression: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and NAC with a combination of nutraceutical agents that may increase mitochondrial biogenesis. METHODS: A three-arm 16-week, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, adjunctive to usual treatment, was conducted. Participants (n = 181) with bipolar disorder and current depressive symptoms were randomised to 2000 mg/day NAC (n = 59), 2000 mg/day NAC with the combination nutraceutical treatment (CT, n = 61), or placebo (n = 61). The primary outcome was change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from baseline to week 16. Young Mania Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Improvement and CGI-Severity scales, Patient Global Impression scale, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation - Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE-RIFT), and Quality of Life Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight participants had post-randomisation data and were analysed (NAC = 52, CT = 47, Placebo = 49). No between-group differences were found for the rate of change between baseline and 16 weeks on any of the clinical and functioning variables. Improvements in MADRS, BDRS, SOFAS, and LIFE-RIFT scores from baseline to the week 20 post-discontinuation visit were significantly greater in the CT group compared to those in the placebo. At week 20, the CGI-I was significantly lower in the CT group versus placebo. Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly greater in the NAC than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These overall negative results, with no significant differences between groups detected at the primary outcome but some positive secondary signals, suggest either delayed benefit of the combination or an improvement of symptoms on withdrawal which warrants further exploration regarding the composition, mechanisms, and application of mitochondrial agents in illnesses characterised by mitochondrial dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR ( ACTRN12612000830897 ).

Correction to: A randomised controlled trial of a mitochondrial therapeutic target for bipolar depression: mitochondrial agents, N-acetylcysteine, and placebo.

The original article [1] contained two minor errors.

Individual placement and support for vocational recovery in first-episode psychosis: randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: High unemployment is a hallmark of psychotic illness. Individual placement and support (IPS) may be effective at assisting the vocational recoveries of young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP).AimsTo examine the effectiveness of IPS at assisting young people with FEP to gain employment (Australian and Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12608000094370). METHOD: Young people with FEP (n = 146) who were interested in vocational recovery were randomised using computer-generated random permuted blocks on a 1:1 ratio to: (a) 6 months of IPS in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) or (b) TAU alone. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months (end of intervention), 12 months and 18 months post-baseline by research assistants who were masked to the treatment allocations. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention the IPS group had a significantly higher rate of having been employed (71.2%) than the TAU group (48.0%), odds ratio 3.40 (95% CI 1.17-9.91, z = 2.25, P = 0.025). However, this difference was not seen at 12- and 18-month follow-up points. There was no difference at any time point on educational outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest trial to our knowledge on the effectiveness of IPS in FEP. The IPS group achieved a very high employment rate during the 6 months of the intervention. However, the advantage of IPS was not maintained in the long term. This seems to be related more to an unusually high rate of employment being achieved in the control group rather than a gross reduction in employment among the IPS group.Declaration of interestNone.

Mediator effects of parameters of inflammation and neurogenesis from a N-acetyl cysteine clinical-trial for bipolar depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore effects of adjunctive treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on markers of inflammation and neurogenesis in bipolar depression. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled randomised trial. Serum samples were collected at baseline, week 8, and week 32 of the open-label and maintenance phases of the clinical trial to determine changes in interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) following adjunctive NAC treatment, and to explore mediation and moderator effects of the listed markers. RESULTS: Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (IL) -6, 8, or 10 were not significantly changed during the course of the trial or specifically in the open-label and maintenance phases. There were no mediation or moderation effects of the biological factors on the clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these particular biological parameters may not be directly involved in the therapeutic mechanism of action of adjunctive NAC in bipolar depression.

A signal detection analysis of executive control performance among adolescent inhalant and cannabis users.

BACKGROUND: Inhalant users have multiple comorbid issues (e.g., polydrug use) that complicate identifying inhalant-specific cognitive deficits. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to use signal detection theory to identify inhalant-specific differences in executive control. METHODS: We examined three well-matched groups: 19 inhalant users, 19 cannabis users, and 19 controls using Stroop and Go/No-Go tasks. RESULTS: Inhalant users demonstrated significantly lower d-prime scores relative to controls, but not cannabis users, on both tasks, suggesting possible executive deficits relative to controls. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: The results of this study raise questions regarding inhalant toxicity and the vulnerability of the adolescent brain to drugs of abuse.

An analysis of real-time suicidal ideation and its relationship with retrospective reports among young people with borderline personality disorder.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to analyze the real-time variability of suicidal ideation intensity and the relationship between real-time and retrospective reports of suicidal ideation made on the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS), among young people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). METHODS: Young people (15-25-year olds) with BPD (N = 46), recruited from two government-funded mental health services, rated the intensity of their suicidal ideation six times per day for 7 days before completing the BSS. RESULTS: For 70% of participants, suicidal ideation changed in intensity approximately five times across the week, both within and between days. BSS ratings were most highly correlated with the highest real-time ratings of suicidal ideation. However, this was not significantly different from the relationship between the BSS and both the average and most recent ratings. Median ratings of suicidal ideation intensity were higher on the BSS compared with an equivalent question asked in real time. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that young people with BPD experience high levels of fluctuation in their intensity of suicidal ideation across a week and that retrospective reports of suicidal ideation might be more reflective of the most intense experience of suicidal ideation across the week.

Instrumental swallowing assessment in adults in residential aged care homes: Practice patterns and opportunities.

OBJECTIVE: To describe practice patterns in the use of instrumental swallowing assessment (ISA) for older adults in residential aged care homes (RACHs). METHODS: A retrospective audit of medical records of residents living in RACHs in Melbourne, Australia to extract data on speech-language pathologist (SLP) involvement, indications for ISA and ISA practice patterns. RESULTS: Medical files of 323 residents across four Melbourne facilities were reviewed. 36% (n = 115) of residents were referred to SLP for swallowing assessment. Referral to SLP was related to length of stay (U = 7393.00, p < 0.001), dementia status (χ2 [1] = 7.06, p = 0.008), texture modification (χ2 [1] = 93.34, p < 0.001) and an existing dysphagia diagnosis (χ2 [1] = 112.89, p < 0.001). There were no referrals for ISA and no instances of ISA being used. Among 115 residents who were referred to SLP for swallowing assessment, there were 33 instances where ISA might be clinically relevant according to ISA indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Instrumental swallowing assessment is not being used for the management of swallowing in RACHs in Australia despite a clinical need for ISA and a potential role for ISA to improve swallowing care quality. Lack of timely ISA may fail to meet the complex health-care needs of older adults living with dysphagia in RACHs, increasing their vulnerability to complications of dysphagia and its management.

The specific phenotype of depression in recent onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A symptom profile and network comparison to recent onset major depressive disorder without psychotic features.

The specific phenotype of depression in recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and its relation to non-psychotic depression is unknown. Symptom profile and network analysis are complementary statistical techniques that may provide important insights into the presentation and relative importance of individual symptoms that give rise to depression. The aim of the current study was to characterise the profile and network of depressive symptoms in SSD and compare it to individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) without psychotic features. This study involved analysis of baseline data pertaining to 109 individuals with comorbid SSD and depression and 283 with MDD without psychotic features. Study cohorts were the Psychosis Recent Onset GRoningen Survey (PROGR-S) and Youth Depression Alleviation (YoDA) trials, respectively. Profile and network analyses revealed that SSD and MDD differed in the profile and relative importance of individual depressive symptoms. While reported sadness was the primary hallmark of depression in both SSD and MDD, individuals with depression in SSD were more likely to sleep more, and have lower lassitude and pessimism. While sadness had great importance in MDD and SSD, in SSD but not MDD lassitude, sleep, appetite, concentration difficulties, and inability to feel were important in the network of depressive symptoms. The specific phenotype of depression might be different in SSD compared to MDD. Symptom inequivalence or underlying functional mechanisms in SSD might result in depression in SSD that is similar to MDD with atypical features.

Mixed Methods Thematic Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial of Adjunctive Mitochondrial Agents for Bipolar Depression.

Objective: There is often a shortfall in recovery following treatment for an episode of bipolar disorder (BD). Exploration of participant's experience provides vital information to enhance statistical outcomes for novel therapy trials. This study used mixed-methods to explore participants' experience of a trial testing N -acetyl cysteine (NAC) and mitochondrially active nutraceuticals for BD depression. Case: report forms from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of BD depression (n = 148) were analysed using a pragmatic adaption of grounded theory and thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis of 148 study participants indicated numerous changes in participant experience over time. For example, perceived environmental stressors reported by participants decreased over the trial in both treatment groups. Quantitative analysis of the themes revealed more positive theme reports in the combination treatment arm compared to the placebo arm and there were more negative themes identified in the placebo arm, compared to the NAC arm. Conclusion: This approach revealed additional results not elucidated in the primary quantitative analysis. This emphasises the value of mixed-methods research in capturing participants' experiences in RCTs and detecting possible latent benefits and risks. Such methods can detect latent target signals in novel therapy trials conducted in BD and generate novel hypotheses.

Instrumental Swallowing Assessment in Adults in Residential Aged Care Homes: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically describe evidence on the use of instrumental swallowing assessment for residents of aged care homes. DESIGN: Scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Published peer-reviewed and gray literature written in English between 2000 and 2020 about instrumental swallowing assessment (ISA) in adults in residential aged care homes (RACHs). MEASURES: A systematic, 3-tiered search of databases including Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and gray literature databases was conducted. Content analysis identified common themes. RESULTS: Forty-two sources, 30 from peer-reviewed journals, 12 gray literature publications, and 66 websites of mobile ISA providers that discussed videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) and/or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) use in RACHs were included. Most peer-reviewed sources were referenced narratives or surveys of speech pathology practice patterns (53.3%). Researchers in 3 studies used onsite mobile FEES and in 2 studies off-site VFSS, with adults living in RACHs, as part of their research design (16.7%). There were 66 mobile instrumental swallowing assessment provider websites, based within the United States. Three countries (Australia, United States, United Kingdom) had professional guidelines that stipulated minimal requirements for the safe and appropriate provision of ISA services across settings. Themes identified across sources included (1) the approach to swallowing management and clinical indicators for ISA, (2) the role of ISA, (3) service and consumer influences on ISA, and (4) mobile FEES. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: There is a paucity of quality research on instrumental swallowing assessment in adults living in RACHs. There are broad regional and international variances in the way that videofluoroscopy and FEES are accessed and used. A more robust evidence base is required to guide health professionals to design tailored ISA care pathways for residents of RACHs, to achieve high-quality health, social, and economic outcomes.

A pilot trial of moderated online social therapy for family and friends of young people with borderline personality disorder features.

AIM: We evaluated the acceptability, usability and safety of Kindred, a novel online intervention for carers of young people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) using a pre-post pilot trial design. The secondary aim explored whether Kindred use was associated with clinical improvements for caregivers on measures of burden of caregiving, stress, expressed emotion, family communication, disability, coping and knowledge of BPD and for patients on measures of severity of BPD symptoms and level of functional impairment. METHODS: The trial site was the Helping Young People Early program for young people with BPD at Orygen in Melbourne, Australia. Informed consent was obtained from 20 adult carers (i.e., relatives or friends) and 10 young people aged 15-25 with BPD. Kindred, which was available for 3 months, incorporated online psychoeducation, carer-to-carer social networking and guidance from expert and peer moderators. Assessments were completed at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Multiple indicators of acceptability, usability and safety were utilized. RESULTS: Seventeen carers were enrolled in Kindred and eight young people completed baseline measures. A priori acceptability, usability and safety criteria were met. Carer burden, stress, expressed emotion, family communication, quality of life, functioning, coping and perceived knowledge of BPD improved at follow-up. Sixty-six percent of the young people (4/6) reported that they believed Kindred had improved their carers' understanding of BPD. CONCLUSION: Kindred was shown to be acceptable, usable and safe, with encouraging improvements in both carer and young person outcomes. Kindred warrants evaluation of its efficacy via an randomized controlled trial.

Selecting patients for rehabilitation after acute stroke: are there variations in practice?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there were variations in practice in selection for rehabilitation after stroke, after adjustment for case mix. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter audit. SETTING: Seven acute stroke units in metropolitan and regional Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive acute stroke admissions (N=616). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke Score and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores for continence at day 3 poststroke, discharge destination from the acute hospital. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 616 stroke survivors. Considerable variability in the percentage of cases accessing inpatient rehabilitation was observed in severe stroke (27%-67%) and mild stroke (27%-73%). To assess adjustment for case mix, a multinomial logistic regression was conducted with the outcome variable being discharge destination (home, rehabilitation, or nursing home), and the predictors being Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke Score, MBI continence scores, age, and social situation. The overall amount of variability explained in discharge destination by the predictors was 63% (Nagelkerke pseudo R(2)). The regression analysis was repeated, adding unit code as a predictor. Unit code was a significant contributor to the model (P<.01). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that, after adjusting for case mix, there may be variations in practice in selection for rehabilitation leading to inequities of access.

A comparison of the reliability and stability of oro-lingual swallowing pressures in patients with head and neck cancer and healthy adults.

The ability to measure normality and abnormality and to accurately assess true changes in swallowing function over time, is important for the management of dysphagia. Despite this, there is a paucity of information regarding the stability and reliability of measurements tools used for dysphagia research. As both head and neck (H&N) cancer and its treatment(s) have been shown to significantly affect deglutitive tongue function, it is important that we have a reliable method to measure swallowing tongue function in this population. In this study we evaluate the reliability and stability of oro-lingual swallowing pressures captured from H&N cancer patients and from healthy, age- and gender-matched controls using the Kay Swallowing Workstation (KSW) fixed, three-transducer tongue pressure array. Significant differences between the two samples (H&N cancer and controls), with respect to mean peak oro-lingual pressures were recorded during swallowing. Furthermore, reliability of these measures was lower in H&N cancer patients. These differences highlight the importance of obtaining information about the reliability of dysphagia assessment tools with the specific population with whom they will be used.

Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: As interest in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) grows, there is increasing need to differentiate informal activities from formal and professionally directed therapies, including mental health focussed Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy (CAP). There have been no reviews focusing exclusively on CAP and the distinct developmental period of adolescence. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of CAP interventions, their impacts and their acceptability, tolerability and feasibility for adolescents with mental health disorders. METHOD: A systematic review identified studies incorporating canines into mental health treatments for adolescents aged 10-19 years. Studies reporting qualitative or quantitative psychological or psychosocial outcomes were included. RESULTS: Seven studies were scrutinised. Intervention characteristics varied, including a range of formats, settings, locations, doses, and facilitators. Information on the role of the canines in sessions was sparse. CAP had a positive impact on primary diagnoses and symptomatology, conferring additional benefits to standard treatments for internalising disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and equivalent effects for anxiety, anger and externalising disorders. CAP was associated with positive impacts on secondary factors including increased engagement and socialisation behaviours, and reductions in disruptive behaviours within treatment sessions. Global functioning also improved. There was insufficient evidence that CAP improved factors associated with self-esteem, subjective wellbeing, or coping. Good attendance and retention rates indicated high levels of acceptability. Moderate to high tolerability was also indicated. Feasibility may be limited by additional training and logistical requirements. RECOMMENDATIONS: We recommend the development of theoretically informed, standardised (manualised) intervention protocols that may subsequently form the basis of efficacy and effectiveness testing. Such protocols should clearly describe canine-participant-facilitator interactions via a formalised nomenclature; spontaneous (animal-led), adjunctive (facilitator-led), and experiential (participant-led). CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging evidence to suggest that CAP improves the efficacy of mental health treatments in self-selected adolescent populations via reductions in primary symptomatology, and via secondary factors that improve therapeutic processes and quality, such as engagement and retention.

Relationships between the frequency and severity of non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts in youth with borderline personality disorder.

AIM: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a recognized indicator of suicide risk. Yet, the ubiquity of this behaviour in borderline personality disorder (BPD) limits its utility as a predictor of risk. Consequently, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between other features of NSSI, including frequency and severity, and suicide attempts. METHOD: Participants included 107 youth (15 to 25 year olds) with BPD who were assessed for BPD severity, depressive symptoms, 12-month frequency of NSSI and suicide attempts, as well as the levels of treatment sought following each self-harm event. RESULTS: Three-quarters (75.7%) of youth with BPD reported NSSI and two-thirds (66.4%) reported a suicide attempt over the previous 12 months. The frequency of NSSI over the previous 12 months did not show a linear or quadratic relationship with the number of suicide attempts when adjusting for severity of depression, impulsivity and interpersonal problems. NSSI severity was not associated with more frequent suicide attempts. Only impulsivity and depression were uniquely predictive of suicide attempt frequency. A relative increase in the frequency and severity of NSSI occurred in the months prior to a suicide attempt. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NSSI and suicide attempts among youth presenting for their first treatment of BPD appear to be perilously high, considerably higher than rates reported by adults with BPD. Findings suggest that clinicians should give more weight to average levels of impulsivity and depression, rather than the absolute frequency and severity of NSSI, when assessing for risk of suicide attempts. Notwithstanding this, a relative increase in the frequency and severity of NSSI appears to be predictive of a forthcoming suicide attempt.

Factors associated with vocational disengagement among young people entering mental health treatment.

AIM: Most mental disorders have their onset by age 25, disrupting normative vocational engagement. Factors associated with vocational disengagement at first contact with specialist treatment are important for service planning. The aim of this paper was to investigate the association between theoretically important factors and vocational disengagement for youth entering mental health treatment. METHODS: A file audit was used to extract vocational data of 145 young people aged 15 to 25 years entering treatment in 2011 at a public youth mental health service in Melbourne, Australia. Comparisons were made across three specialist programs for: psychosis (n = 50), mood disorders (n = 52) and borderline personality pathology (n = 43). Individual characteristics were entered into univariate and multivariate logistic regressions to investigate their associations with vocational disengagement. RESULTS: Educational disengagement was associated with being older (OR = 4.38, P = 0.004) and not living with parents (OR = 2.87, P = 0.038). Unemployment and being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) were both associated with not having commenced tertiary education (OR = 0.23, P = 0.022; OR = 0.05, P = 0.002; respectively). Being NEET was also associated with being older (OR = 6.18, P = 0.004). Primary diagnostic grouping was not associated with vocational disengagement, once accounting for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of vocational disengagement did not differ across disorder groups, implying that intervention should be "transdiagnostic" and might best target education first, specifically post-secondary qualifications. Other domains or variables not measured in this study are also likely to be important, and this might include young people's support systems and symptom severity. Qualitative studies may be useful for exploring further factors relevant to vocational engagement.

Vocational engagement among young people entering mental health treatment compared with their general population peers.

AIM: To compare rates of vocational engagement for youth entering specialist mental health treatment with the general population. METHODS: A file audit retrieved vocational data for 145 youth aged 15 to 25 entering treatment. Clinical and population data were stratified by age and sex and compared between cohorts. RESULTS: Compared to the population, young people entering mental health treatment were less likely to have completed at least Year 11 in school (77% vs 42%, P < 0.001); and demonstrated higher rates of "Not in Education, Employment or Training" (9% vs 33%, P < 0.001). Individuals aged 15 to 18 years entering treatment experienced greater rates of educational disengagement than the population (30% vs 11%, P < 0.001), whereas people aged 19 to 25 years showed higher unemployment rates (52% vs 35%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Youth entering specialist mental health treatment have marked levels of vocational disengagement compared to demographically-matched peers. Early vocational intervention for these young people is essential.