Reducing duration of untreated psychosis: a public health initiative in an urban setting

Background/Objectives: The first five years of psychosis are a critical period for effective treatment initiation with those experiencing first-episode psychoses. However, a long delay between onset of psychotic symptoms and access to appropriate care continues to be a feature of many care-pathways. Although many receive treatment within 6 months of symptom onset, others remain untreated in the community for 1–2 years. An in-depth evaluation of the care-pathways and help-seeking behaviour of clients with first-episode psychosis, therefore, has been conducted, with clients from Birmingham Early Intervention Servi…