Working with people with experience of psychosis to codesign an educational and anti-stigma psychosis intervention for schools

Introduction. Psychosis is a particularly stigmatized condition in adolescent populations, with prevalent stigmatizing beliefs surrounding it including negative stereotypes around dangerousness, unpredictability, and chronicity. Additionally, first episodes of psychosis increase significantly during late adolescence, and there is the lack of understanding & recognition of psychosis in young people. Given these factors, psychosis appears to be an important topic for mental health literacy and anti-stigma programmes. However, there is a lack of consensus surrounding the best way to construct psychosis anti-stigma interventions for young people. Voices of people with experience of psychosis seem crucial in this regard, but their experiences of stigma and discrimination are rarely heard. By including their perspectives along with other stakeholders, we aim to ensure that we gain a better, more balanced perspective on how to talk about psychosis with young people.
Methods. This study reports on the co-design process of a psychosis anti-stigma educational intervention for young people. Six workshops were held over three months, with experts with experience of psychosis working with clinicians and academics. These workshops explored the differing views of these groups on how we understand, talk about, and perceive psychosis.
Results. This process resulted in an educational module named 'Reality and Psychosis’, which we believe will prove effective in not only educating but also in diminishing stigma surrounding psychosis among young people.
Conclusion. By incorporating various perspectives, we hope to provide a well-rounded and balanced approach to addressing the complexities of discussing psychosis with young people.