Developing education about psychosis for adolescents in schools and further education

The project, aims to develop and assess an additional module for a mental health education programme for secondary schools, which specifically addresses early psychosis, with an emphasis on improving recognition (early detection) and reducing stimatising attitudes.

Effectively improving people's understanding of psychosis is complex, as there are radically different perspectives on the disorder (e.g. biomedical/ psychosocial), which have different social and personal implications. The first study would explore these effects empirically, while the second would draw on these results to develop and the third to assess a nuanced, sensitive and effective education programme. The final design and specific research questions will be informed by the PhD student's interests and focus.
Ethical and safety issues arising in working with young people and vulnerable service users will be considered carefully. One of the partner organisations is currently conducting similar research in schools, and will bring well informed expertise to this.