Perspectives of mental health clinicians on physical health of young people with early psychosis

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this study is to explore the views and understanding of youth mental health clinicians with regard to the physical health of young people with early psychosis and their perspectives on lifestyle interventions improving the health and well‐being of young people with early psychosis. Physical health disparities leading to premature mortality among people with mental illness are well evident in the literature. Mental health and physical health are directly correlated. The risk of poor physical health often begins before the onset of mental ill health. Young people with early psychosis are highly susceptible to poor physical health. A co‐designed integrated approach focusing on early prevention and intervention in overall well‐being and health is imminent for this targeted population to prevent poor physical health trajectory across the lifespan. Ten clinicians were recruited and participated in this study through semi‐structured interviews. Five themes were identified: (i) Impact of early psychosis, (ii) Focus of care, (iii) Conversations around physical health, (iv) Co‐location of specialist roles and (v) Health literacy. The findings of this study confirm the dimensional impact of early psychosis on the well‐being and health of young people through the vicious cycle of early psychosis. Promotion of health literacy along with social connectedness and elements of self‐determination, as well as having a prime focus on the individuals' experience in the journey of health promotion through participation in lifestyle interventions, has been identified as critically prominent.