Dynamic association of the first identifiable symptom with rapidity of progression to first-episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Rapid progression from the first identifiable symptom to the onset of first-episode psychosis (FEP) allows less time for early intervention. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the first identifiable symptom and the subsequent speed of illness progression. METHODS: Data were available for 390 patients attending a catchment-based early intervention service for FEP. Exposure to non-psychotic and subthreshold psychotic symptoms was retrospectively recorded using semi-structured interviews. Outcomes following the onset of the first identifiable symptom were (1) time to onset of FEP and (2) symptom incidence rate (i.e. number of symptoms emerging per person-year until FEP onset). These outcomes were respectively analyzed with Cox proportional hazards and negative binomial regressions. RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, having a subthreshold psychotic (v. non-psychotic) symptom as the first symptom was not associated with time to FEP onset [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.39; 95% CI 0.94-2.04] but was associated with higher symptom incidence [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.92; 95% CI 1.10-3.48]. A first symptom of suspiciousness was associated with shorter time to FEP onset (HR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.38-4.08) and higher symptom incidence rate (IRR = 3.20; 95% CI 1.55-7.28) compared to other first symptoms. In contrast, a first symptom of self-harm was associated with lower symptom incidence rate (IRR = 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.73) compared to other first symptoms. Several associations between symptoms and illness progression were moderated by the age at symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS: Appreciating the content and timing of early symptoms can identify windows and treatment targets for early interventions in psychosis.

Heterogeneity in the Course of Suicidal Ideation and its Relation to Suicide Attempts in First-Episode Psychosis: A 5-Year Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Although the risk of suicide is high in first-episode psychosis (FEP), little is known about the course of suicidal ideation and its relation to suicide attempts. Therefore, we aimed to identify 5-year trajectories of suicidal ideation and associated factors in FEP and compare how suicide attempts were distributed across these identified trajectories. METHOD: This 5-year prospective study assessed suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and potentially associated factors through research interviews, chart review and coroners' reports in 382 FEP patients [mean age = 23.53 (SD = 3.61)] admitted to 2 5-year early psychosis services in Montreal, Canada. Trajectories were identified using a semiparametric mixture model, and associated factors with multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Three suicidal ideation trajectories were identified: low and decreasing (n = 325, 85.08%); early decline, then increasing (n = 30, 7.85%), and persistent suicidal ideation (n = 27, 7.07%). Suicidal ideation prior to admission (OR = 2.85, 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.63, P < 0.05) and cocaine use disorder (OR = 6.78, 95% CI, 1.08 to 42.75, P < 0.05) were associated with the early decline, then increasing suicidal ideation trajectory. Persons with prior suicide ideation (OR = 4.33, 95% CI, 1.66 to 11.29, P < 0.05) and attempts (OR = 8.18, 95% CI, 2.39 to 27.97, P < 0.001) and alcohol use disorder (OR = 3.63, 95% CI, 1.4 to 9.42, P < 0.05) were more likely to belong to the persistent suicidal ideation trajectory, and to attempt suicide during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights heterogeneity in the course of suicidal ideation over 5 years and the importance of ongoing assessment of suicidal risk in FEP patients, particularly for patients who persistently report suicidal ideation, as they are likelier to engage in suicide attempts. Patients with factors associated with increasing or persistent suicidal ideation trajectories should be targeted for suicide prevention interventions from the early phase of follow-up. Given the small number of persons in these trajectories and the wide CIs for some factors, larger studies are however needed to further characterize who belongs in each group.

Context and Expectations Matter: Social, Recreational, and Independent Functioning among Youth with Psychosis in Chennai, India and Montreal, Canada.

OBJECTIVES: Most cross-cultural psychosis research has focused on a limited number of outcomes (generally symptom-related) and perspectives (often clinician-/observer-rated). It is unknown if the purported superior outcomes for psychosis in some low- and middle-income countries extend to patient-reported measures of social, recreational, and independent functioning. Addressing this gap, this study aimed to compare these outcomes in first-episode psychosis at a high-income site and a lower middle-income site. METHODS: Patients receiving similarly designed early intervention for psychosis in Chennai, India (N = 164) and Montreal, Canada (N = 140) completed the self-reported Social Functioning Scale-Early Intervention, which measures prosocial, recreation, and independence-performance functioning. Their case managers rated expected independence-performance functioning. Both sets of assessments were done at entry and Months 6, 18, and 24. Linear mixed model analyses of differences between sites and over time were conducted, accounting for other pertinent variables, especially negative symptoms. RESULTS: Linear mixed models showed that prosocial, recreation, and independence-performance functioning scores were significantly higher in Montreal than Chennai and did not change over time. Expected independence-performance was also higher in Montreal and increased over time. Negative symptoms and education independently predicted prosocial, recreation, and expected independence-performance functioning. When added to the model, expected independence-performance predicted actual independence-performance and site was no longer significant. At both sites, prosocial and recreation scores were consistently lower (<40%) than independence-performance (40-65%). CONCLUSION: This is the first cross-cultural investigation of prosocial, recreation, and independent functioning in early psychosis. It demonstrates that these outcomes differ by socio-cultural context. Differing levels of expectations about patients, themselves shaped by cultural, illness, and social determinants, may contribute to cross-cultural variations in functional outcomes. At both sites, social, recreational, and independent functioning were in the low-to-moderate range and there was no improvement over time, underscoring the need for effective interventions specifically designed to impact these outcomes.

Comparing treatment delays and pathways to early intervention services for psychosis in urban settings in India and Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Although extensively studied in high-income countries (HICs) and less so in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), pathways to care and treatment delays in early psychosis have not been compared across contexts. We compared pathways to early intervention for psychosis in an HIC (Montreal, Canada) and an LMIC (Chennai, India). We hypothesised that the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) would be longer in Chennai. METHODS: The number of contacts preceding early intervention, referral sources, first contacts, and DUP and its referral and help-seeking components of first-episode psychosis patients at both sites were similarly measured and compared using chi-square analyses and t tests/one-way ANOVAs. RESULTS: Overall and help-seeking DUPs of Chennai (N = 168) and Montreal (N = 165) participants were not significantly different. However, Chennai patients had shorter referral DUPs [mean = 12.0 ± 34.1 weeks vs. Montreal mean = 13.2 ± 28.7 weeks; t(302.57) = 4.40; p < 0.001] as the early intervention service was the first contact for 44% of them (vs. 5% in Montreal). Faith healers comprised 25% of first contacts in Chennai. Those seeing faith healers had significantly shorter help-seeking but longer referral DUPs. As predicted, most (93%) Montreal referrals came from medical sources. Those seeing psychologists/counsellors/social workers as their first contact had longer DUPs. CONCLUSION: Differences in cultural views about mental illnesses and organizational structures shape pathways to care and their associations with treatment delays across contexts. Both formal and informal sources need to be targeted to reduce delays. Early intervention services being the first portal where help is sought can reduce DUP especially if accessed early on in the illness course.

"The more things change "? Stability of delusional themes across 12 years of presentations to an early intervention service for psychosis.

PURPOSE: While the prevalence of delusional themes appears to be consistent across geographic contexts, little is known about the relative prevalence of such themes within a given setting over periods of time. We therefore investigated delusional themes across 12 years of presentation to a catchment-based early intervention service for first episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: Systematically collected data from 500 patients at an early intervention service for FEP were analyzed. Four cohorts of 3 years each, from 2006 to 2017, were used to compare the frequency of delusion themes across cohorts. We also integrated into the analysis baseline sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, and highest level of education and clinical factors such as anxiety, depression, suicidality, hallucinations, and primary diagnosis (affective or non-affective psychosis). RESULTS: Sex and education level were stable across cohorts, while patient age varied (p = 0.047). Clinical anxiety, depression, and suicidality at entry were also stable. Across cohorts, the proportion of patients with affective versus non-affective diagnosis differed (p = 0.050), with no differences in global rating of delusion severity or theme prevalence except for delusions of guilt or sin (p = 0.001). This single theme difference was not correlated with age or diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests relatively stable prevalence of delusion themes across cohorts of individuals experiencing FEP. This demonstrates the potential utility of studying thematic content both for understanding delusions in clinical populations and in research. Future explorations of the relationships between delusion themes and across individual patient episodes should be conducted.

Trust of patients and families in mental healthcare providers and institutions: a cross-cultural study in Chennai, India, and Montreal, Canada.

PURPOSE: Cross-cultural psychosis research has typically focused on a limited number of outcomes (generally symptom-related). It is unknown if the purported superior outcomes for psychosis in some low- and middle-income countries extend to fundamental treatment processes like trust. Addressing this gap, we studied two similar first-episode psychosis programs in Montreal, Canada, and Chennai, India. We hypothesized higher trust in healthcare institutions and providers among patients and families in Chennai at baseline and over follow-up. METHODS: Upon treatment entry and at months 3, 12 and 24, trust in healthcare providers was measured using the Wake Forest Trust scale and trust in the healthcare and mental healthcare systems using two single items. Nonparametric tests were performed to compare trust levels across sites and mixed-effects linear regression models to investigate predictors of trust in healthcare providers. RESULTS: The study included 333 patients (Montreal = 165, Chennai = 168) and 324 family members (Montreal = 128, Chennai = 168). Across all timepoints, Chennai patients and families had higher trust in healthcare providers and the healthcare and mental healthcare systems. The effect of site on trust in healthcare providers was significant after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics known to impact trust. Patients' trust in doctors increased over follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study uniquely focuses on trust as an outcome in psychosis, via a comparative longitudinal analysis of different trust dimensions and predictors, across two geographical settings. The consistent differences in trust levels between sites may be attributable to local cultural values and institutional structures and processes and underpin cross-cultural variations in treatment engagement and outcomes.

Stigma as a barrier to early intervention among youth seeking mental health services in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Stigma associated with mental health challenges is a major barrier to service seeking among youth. Understanding how stigma impacts service-seeking decisions from the perspectives of youth remains underexplored. Such research is necessary to inform effective stigma reduction. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how stigma influences service seeking among youth with mental health challenges. METHODS: Qualitative inquiry was taken using youth engagement, underpinned by pragmatism. Data were collected via 4 virtual focus groups with 22 purposively selected youth participants with lived experience of mental health challenges in Ontario, Canada. Focus group guides were developed collaboratively among research team members, including youth co-researchers. Data were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were constructed from the data: point of entry into the system, being biomedicalized or trivialized, and paving the way for non-stigmatizing services. Initial contact with the mental healthcare system was seen to be affected by stigma, causing participants to delay contact or be refused services if they do not fit with an expected profile. Participants described a constant negotiation between feeling 'sick enough' and 'not sick enough' to receive services. Once participants accessed services, they perceived the biomedicalization or trivialization of their challenges to be driven by stigma. Lastly, participants reflected on changes needed to reduce stigma's effects on seeking and obtaining services. CONCLUSION: A constant negotiation between being 'sick enough' or 'not sick enough' is a key component of stigma from the perspectives of youth. This tension influences youth decisions about whether to seek services, but also service provider decisions about whether to offer services. Building awareness around the invisibility of mental health challenges and the continuum of wellness to illness may help to break down stigma's impact as a barrier to service seeking. Early intervention models of care that propose services across the spectrum of challenges may prevent the sense of stigma that deters youth from accessing and continuing to access services.

"Youth as accessories": Stakeholder Perspectives on Youth Participation in Mental Health Policymaking [Part II].

PURPOSE: To elicit stakeholder perspectives on the findings from our scoping review on youth participation in mental health policymaking, we conducted a global consultation with young people and adults directly involved in mental health policymaking. METHOD: Forty-four stakeholders from 16 countries, including 15 young people, 9 policymakers and 20 facilitators of youth participation, took part in individual interviews and/or focus groups. They were asked about how the review findings contrasted with their own experiences in mental health policymaking. The transcribed data were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: All participants viewed lived experience as valuable in identifying policy gaps. Youth pointed out that children and youth with disabilities, diverse sexual orientations, and/or gender identities were often excluded, and spoke about feelings of being an "accessory", illustrating a lack of power-sharing in a tokenized policymaking process. Adult participants' accounts highlighted the challenges inherent in policymaking such as the need for political knowledge and institutional time constraints. A range of cultural, socio-economic, and political barriers to youth participation, that were often context-specific, were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The diverse perspectives of stakeholders extended the review results. Based on our findings, we recommend that adults and institutions: (1) recognize lived experience as expertise in shaping mental health policies; (2) include diverse groups; (3) reduce tokenistic relationships through the creation of safer spaces, adult feedback, co-production, and social accountability; and (4) adopt an intersectional approach to address cultural, socio-economic, and political barriers to participation. Methodologically, our work demonstrates why stakeholder consultations are an essential component of scoping reviews.

Participation of Children and Youth in Mental Health Policymaking: A Scoping Review [Part I].

Although youth participation is oft-acknowledged as underpinning mental health policy and service reform, little robust evidence exists about the participation of children and youth in mental health policymaking. A scoping review based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework was conducted to identify and synthesize available information on children and youth's participation in mental health policymaking. Published studies up to November 30, 2020 were searched in Medline (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Scopus, and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (PROQUEST). Further studies were identified through Google Scholar and a grey literature search was conducted using Google and targeted web searches from October to December, 2020. Three reviewers performed screening and data extraction relevant to the review objective, followed by an online consultation. From 2,981 records, 25 publications were included. A lack of diversity among the youth involved was found. Youth were often involved in situational analysis and policy design, but seldom in policy implementation and evaluation. Both the facilitators of and barriers to participation were multifaceted and interconnected. Despite a range of expected outcomes of participation for youth, adults, organizations, and communities, perceived and actual effects were neither substantially explored nor reported. Our recommendations for mental health policymaking highlight the inclusion of children and youth from diverse groups, and the creation of relational spaces that ensure safety, inclusiveness, and diversity. Identified future research directions are: the outcomes of youth participation in mental health policymaking, the role of adults, and more generally, how the mental health of children and youth shapes and is shaped by the policymaking process.

Context and contact: a comparison of patient and family engagement with early intervention services for psychosis in India and Canada.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether patient disengagement from early intervention services for psychosis is as prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India, as it is in high-income countries (HICs). Addressing this gap, we studied two first-episode psychosis programs in Montreal, Canada and Chennai, India. We hypothesized lower service disengagement among patients and higher engagement among families in Chennai, and that family engagement would mediate cross-site differences in patient disengagement. METHODS: Sites were compared on their 2-year patient disengagement and family engagement rates conducting time-to-event analyses and independent samples t tests on monthly contact data. Along with site and family involvement, Cox proportional hazards regression included known predictors of patient disengagement (e.g. gender). RESULTS: The study included data about 333 patients (165 in Montreal, 168 in Chennai) and their family members (156 in Montreal, 168 in Chennai). More Montreal patients (19%) disengaged before 24 months than Chennai patients (1%), χ2(1, N = 333) = 28.87, p < 0.001. Chennai families had more contact with clinicians throughout treatment (Cohen's d = -1.28). Family contact significantly predicted patient disengagement in Montreal (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.93). Unlike in Chennai, family contact declined over time in Montreal, with clinicians perceiving such contact as not necessary (Cohen's d = 1.73). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation of early psychosis service engagement across a HIC and an LMIC. Patient and family engagement was strikingly higher in Chennai. Maintaining family contact may benefit patient engagement, irrespective of context. Findings also suggest that differential service utilization may underpin cross-cultural variations in psychosis outcomes.

Unfinished business: Functional outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of a three-year extension of early intervention versus regular care following two years of early intervention for psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether first-episode psychosis patients receiving extended early intervention had better functional outcomes than those in regular care and to examine the predictors of functional outcomes. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled single-blind trial of 220 patients randomized after 2 years of early intervention to receive early intervention or regular care for the subsequent 3 years. Outcomes included cumulative time in functional recovery during the 3-year trial assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS); and employment/education at last assessment which were, respectively, analyzed using multiple linear regression and logistic regression, accounting for well-known predictors. Linear mixed and generalized linear models were also used to examine the course of SOFAS and employment/education over the 3-year period. RESULTS: The extended early intervention and regular care groups did not differ on time in functional recovery (mean = 50.17 weeks, SD = 46.62 vs. mean = 46.18 weeks, SD = 51.54); percent employed/in school (60.4% vs. 68.8%) or change in SOFAS or employment/education status over time. SOFAS scores were stable between years 2 and 5. Individuals with longer periods of total symptom remission experienced significantly longer periods of functional recovery and were likelier to be employed/in school. Those who had completed high school were nine times likelier to be employed/studying. CONCLUSION: Most individuals maintained functional gains accrued from 2 years of early intervention with no further improvement whether in extended early intervention or regular care. There was a gap between symptomatic and functional recovery, and one-third were unemployed/not in school at year 5. The lack of additional progress even in extended early intervention suggests that specific interventions addressing functional roles need to be provided beyond the first 2 years of early intervention. Sustaining symptom remission and high-school completion may be additional avenues for targeting functional recovery.

Youth Perspectives on Integrated Youth Services: A Discrete Choice Conjoint Experiment.

OBJECTIVE: Integrated youth services (IYS) are an emerging model of care offering a broad range of mental health and social services for youth in one location. This study aimed to determine the IYS service characteristics most important to youth, as well as to determine whether different classes of youth have different service preferences, and if so, what defines these classes. METHODS: Ontario youth aged 14-29 years with mental health challenges were recruited to participate in a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey. The DCE contained 12 attributes, each represented by 4 levels representing core characteristics of IYS models. To supplement the DCE questions, demographic information was collected and a mental health screener was administered. Preferences were examined, latent class analyses were conducted, and latent classes were compared. RESULTS: As a whole, participants endorsed the IYS model of service delivery. Among 274 youth, there were three latent classes: 1) the Focused Service (37.6%) latent class prioritized efficient delivery of mental health services. 2) The Holistic Services (30.3%) latent class prioritized a diverse array of mental health and social services delivered in a timely fashion. 3) The Responsive Services (32.1%) latent class prioritized services that matched the individual needs of the youth being served. Differences between classes were observed based on sociodemographic and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: IYS is an acceptable model of care, in that it prioritizes components that reflect youth preferences. The differences in preference profiles of different groups of youth point to the need for flexible models of service delivery. Service design initiatives should take these preferences into account, designing services that meet the needs and preferences of a broad range of youth. Working locally to co-design services with the youth in the target population who wish to be engaged will help meet the needs of youth.

Demographic and Clinical Presentations of Youth using Enhanced Mental Health Services in Six Indigenous Communities from the ACCESS Open Minds Network.

OBJECTIVE: In many Indigenous communities, youth mental health services are inadequate. Six Indigenous communities participating in the ACCESS Open Minds (AOM) network implemented strategies to transform their youth mental health services. This report documents the demographic and clinical presentations of youth accessing AOM services at these Indigenous sites. METHODS: Four First Nations and two Inuit communities contributed to this study. Youth presenting for mental health services responded to a customized sociodemographic questionnaire and presenting concerns checklist, and scales assessing distress, self-rated health and mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. RESULTS: Combined data from the First Nations sites indicated that youth across the range of 11-29 years accessed services. More girls/women than boys/men accessed services; 17% identified as LBGTQ+. Most (83%) youth indicated having access to at least one reliable adult and getting along well with the people living with them. Twenty-five percent of youth reported difficulty meeting basic expenses. Kessler (K10) distress scores indicated that half likely had a moderate mental health problem and a fourth had severe problems. Fifty-five percent of youth rated their mental health as fair or poor, while 50% reported suicidal thoughts in the last month. Anxiety, stress, depression and sleep issues were the most common presenting problems. Fifty-one percent of youth either accessed services themselves or were referred by family members. AOM was the first mental health service accessed that year for 68% of youth. CONCLUSIONS: This report is the first to present a demographic and clinical portrait of youth presenting at mental health services in multiple Indigenous settings in Canada. It illustrates the acceptability and feasibility of transforming youth mental health services using core principles tailored to meet communities' unique needs, resources, and cultures, and evaluating these using a common protocol. Data obtained can be valuable in evaluating services and guiding future service design. Trial registration name and number at Clinicaltrials.gov: ACCESS Open Minds/ACCESS Esprits ouverts, ISRCTN23349893.

Building engagement to support adoption of community-based substance use prevention initiatives.

BACKGROUND: System-level approaches that target social determinants of health are promising strategies to support substance use prevention, holistic youth development and wellbeing. Yet, the youth services system is largely based on individual-focused programs that do not adequately account for social determinants of health and place the responsibility for wellness on the individual. There is a need to understand how to enhance adoption of complex system-level approaches that support comprehensive youth development. The Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) represents a collaborative initiative that takes an ecological, system-level approach to prevent substance use and promote wellness in youth. This research was designed to examine key stakeholder perceptions to better understand social motivations and contextual complexities that influence stakeholder support to garner community-level adoption of the IPM in a rural Canadian community. METHODS: This research applies a case study approach using qualitative interviews to explore strategies to support uptake in the early stages of IPM adoption associated with developing community buy-in and acceptance. A thematic analysis was applied using QSR NVivo. RESULTS: Nine interviews were conducted with community partners leading the implementation of the IPM. Three over-arching themes emerged from the data: 1) Motivating influences 2) Strategies to develop buy-in, and 3) Resistance to the adoption of the IPM. Findings reflect issues that affect behaviour change in system transformation in general as well as upstream prevention and the IPM, in particular. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this research describe critical insight derived from implementing community-driven initiatives that are designed to support health promotion. It contributes new scientific knowledge related to implementation of complex system-level innovations and practical information that is useful for communities interested in implementing the IPM or following similar approaches to prevent substance use.

The mental health of young people who are not in education, employment, or training: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There are increasing concerns about the intersection between NEET (not in education, employment, or training) status and youth mental ill-health and substance use. However, findings are inconsistent and differ across types of problems. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO-CRD42018087446) on the association between NEET status and youth mental health and substance use problems. METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (1999-2020). Two reviewers extracted data and appraised study quality using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We ran robust variance estimation random-effects models for associations between NEET and aggregate groups of mental ill-health and substance use measures; conventional random-effects models for associations with individual mental/substance use problems; and subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity. RESULTS: We identified 24 studies from 6,120 references. NEET status was associated with aggregate groups of mental ill-health (OR 1.28, CI 1.06-1.54), substance use problems (OR 1.43, CI 1.08-1.89), and combined mental ill-health and substance use measures (OR 1.38, CI 1.15-1.64). Each disaggregated measure was associated with NEET status [mood (OR 1.43, CI 1.21-1.70), anxiety (OR 1.55, CI 1.07-2.24), behaviour problems (OR 1.49, CI 1.21-1.85), alcohol use (OR 1.28, CI 1.24-1.46), cannabis use (OR 1.62, CI 1.07-2.46), drug use (OR 1.99, CI 1.19-3.31), suicidality (OR 2.84, CI 2.04-3.95); and psychological distress (OR 1.10, CI 1.01-1.21)]. Longitudinal data indicated that aggregate measures of mental health problems and of mental health and substance use problems (combined) predicted being NEET later, while evidence for the inverse relationship was equivocal and sparse. CONCLUSION: Our review provides evidence for meaningful, significant associations between youth mental health and substance use problems and being NEET. We, therefore, advocate for mental ill-health prevention and early intervention and integrating vocational supports in youth mental healthcare.

An observational study of antipsychotic medication discontinuation in first-episode psychosis: clinical and functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: To study the impact of supervised antipsychotic medication discontinuation on clinical and functional outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) in two different cultural environments. METHOD: FEP patients(N = 253), treated in two early intervention services (Montreal, Canada and Chennai, India) for 2 years, were assessed for medication use, positive and negative symptom remission and social-occupational functioning at regular intervals. RESULTS: Between months 4 and 24 of treatment, 107 patients discontinued medication ('Off'group) as compared to 146 who stayed on medication ('On'group). Medication discontinuation was higher in Chennai as compared to Montreal (n = 80, 49.07% vs n = 27, 16.87%; χ2 37.80, p < 0.001), with no difference in time to discontinuation [Means(SDs) = 10.64(6.82) and 10.04(5.43), respectively, p = 0.71). At month 24 (N = 235), there were no differences in the rate of positive symptom remission between the on and Off groups (81.5 vs 88.0%, respectively) at both sites. The rate of negative symptom remission was lower among patients in the On compared to the Off group (63.2 vs 87.9%, respectively, χ2 = 17.91, p < 0.001), but only in Montreal (55.4% vs 80.0%, respectively, χ2 = 4.12, p < 0.05). Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale scores were equally high in both Off and On medication groups in Chennai [Means (SDs) = 79.43(12.95) and 73.59(17.63), respectively] but higher in the Off compared to the On group in Montreal Means (SDs) = 77.47(14.97) and 64.94(19.02), respectively; Time × site interaction F = 3.96(1,217), p < 0.05]. Medication status (On-Off) had no impact on the outcomes, independent of other variables known to influence outcomes. CONCLUSION: Certain cultural environments and patient characteristics may facilitate supervised discontinuation of antipsychotic medication following treatment of an FEP without negative consequences.

Delusional content at initial presentation to a catchment-based early intervention service for psychosis.

BACKGROUND: During a psychotic episode, patients frequently suffer from severe maladaptive beliefs known as delusions. Despite the abundant literature investigating the simple presence or absence of these beliefs, there exists little detailed knowledge regarding their actual content and severity at the onset of illness. AIMS: This study reports on delusions during the initiation of indicated treatment for first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD: Data were systematically collected from a sample of 636 patients entering a catchment-based early intervention service for FEP. The average severity and frequency of each delusional theme at baseline was reported with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms. Delusional severity (globally and per theme) was examined across a number of sociodemographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Delusions were present in the vast majority of individuals experiencing onset of FEP (94%), with persecutory (77.7%) being the most common theme. Persecutory delusions remained consistent in severity across diagnoses, but were more severe with older age at onset of FEP. No meaningful differences in delusional severity were observed across gender, affective versus non-affective psychosis, or presence/absence of substance use disorder. Globally, delusion severity was associated with anxiety, but not depression. Delusions commonly referred to as passivity experiences were related to hallucinatory experiences. CONCLUSIONS: This community sample offers a rare clinical lens into the severity and content of delusions in FEP. Although delusional severity was consistent across certain sociodemographic and clinical variables, this was not always the case. Future research should now consider the course of delusion themes over time.

Suicidality Over the First 5 Years of Psychosis: Does Extending Early Intervention Have Benefits?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) receiving extended early intervention (EI) were less likely to experience suicidal ideation and behaviors than those transferred to regular care after 2 years of EI. Another objective was to examine the 5-year course of suicidality in FEP. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial where 220 patients were randomized after 2 years of EI to receive extended EI or regular care for the subsequent 3 years. Suicidality was rated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Linear mixed model analysis was used to study time and group effects on suicidality. RESULTS: Extended EI and regular care groups did not differ on suicidality. There was a small decrease in suicidality over time, F(7, 1038) = 1.84, P = 0.077, with an immediate sharp decline within a month of treatment, followed by stability over the remaining 5 years. Patients who endorsed suicidality at entry (46.6%) had higher baseline positive, negative, and depressive symptoms. The 5-year course fell in 3 groups: never endorsed suicidality (33.9%), endorsed suicidality at low-risk levels (43.1%), and endorsed high-risk levels (23.0%). The high-risk group had a higher proportion of affective versus nonaffective psychosis diagnosis; higher baseline positive and depressive symptoms; higher 5-year mean depression scores, and fewer weeks of positive symptom remission over the 5-year course. CONCLUSIONS: The first month of treatment is a critical period for suicide risk in FEP. Although early reductions in suicidality are often maintained, our findings make the case for sustained monitoring for suicide risk management.

Our roles are not at ease: The work of engaging a youth advisory council in a mental health services delivery organization.

OBJECTIVES: There is growing policy impetus for including youth voices in health services research and health system reform. This article examines the perspectives of professionals in a mental healthcare organization charged with engaging young people as advisors in service transformation. METHODS: An institutional ethnography of a youth mental health services organization in Ontario, Canada, was conducted. Fieldwork consisted of twelve months of observation of meetings, interviews with youth advisors and adult service providers, with subsequent text analysis of engagement training and policy materials. The present article reports data from six adult professionals and related field observations. RESULTS: Service providers' efforts to engage youth were observed in three areas: a) supporting youth's development as advisors, b) retaining and deepening youth participation while waiting for organizational change and c) embedding relationships between youth and adults at various levels within the system of care. This work denotes existing tensions between the values and ideals of youth engagement and the everyday demands of services delivery. CONCLUSION: In this setting, a fundamental dimension of this work consisted of negotiating tensions between the policy enthusiasm for engagement and its realization in a health services context. In describing these contextual challenges, we outline implications for consideration by other youth mental health services. Engagement efforts that are authentic and sustained require resources and flexibility, and leadership commitment to instil service users' perspectives throughout multiple levels within the organization.

A systematic review of longitudinal studies of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in first-episode psychosis: course and associated factors.

PURPOSES: To better assess and reduce suicidal risk in first-episode psychosis (FEP), we aimed to investigate the evolution of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) and associated factors in FEP. METHOD: This systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD42020168050) meets PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, EBM Reviews and references lists of relevant articles were searched (February 2020) to identify longitudinal studies, published in English or in French, that assessed the prevalence of STBs at entry to services and over follow-up, and examined factors associated with STBs among all persons with affective and non-affective FEP from a defined catchment area. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment using the adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale were done independently by two reviewers. Results on prevalence and associated factors are presented by type of STB. RESULTS: Of 3,177 references, 17 studies of 11 non-overlapping samples (n = 14,907) with varying lengths of follow-up (1-41.7 years) were included. The prevalence of STBs decreased over follow-up. Up to 21.6% made at least one suicide attempt, 27% had suicidal ideation, and 1-4.3% died by suicide during follow-up. Of 53 factors assessed across studies, only male sex, depressive symptoms, and STBs occurring early during follow-up were associated with subsequent STBs. Early intervention for psychosis decreased STBs in the first three years. Other factors were assessed in a single study, yielded conflicting results, or were not associated with STBs. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of STBs following onset of psychosis highlights the need for early detection and intervention and ongoing assessment of suicidal risk throughout follow-up, with attention to identified risk factors. The heterogeneity of the studies precluded a meta-analysis and several factors were each assessed by a single study. Additional well-designed longitudinal studies of STBs and associated factors are warranted.