Young people's beliefs about help-seeking for first episode psychosis

The importance of early intervention for positive outcomes following a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is recognised, however, there are still delays in young people seeking help. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore beliefs about help-seeking in young people who have recently experienced a FEP. Twelve participants were interviewed and transcripts were analysed using grounded theory. Five categories of beliefs were identified which contributed to the development of a preliminary model of beliefs about a need for help-seeking. Young people’s beliefs about their experiences as normal or abnormal, and about the process and outcome of help-seeking, influenced beliefs about needing help. Existing beliefs about mental health problems, and beliefs about the impact of experiences on the self were important to the meaning young people ascribed to beliefs about help-seeking. Social networks were important in the development of these beliefs.
The study identified beliefs which promoted and inhibited young people’s help-seeking beliefs for FEP. Self-stigma was present prior to help-seeking. Implications for clinical interventions include education to promote help-seeking for distress and not abnormality, and to dispel myths about the help-seeking process and outcome. Further research is needed to determine which beliefs are most important to young people’s help-seeking for FEP.