A qualitative study of help-seeking experiences leading up to a specialized service for youth at risk of psychosis

Background Emerging research and early identification efforts have aimed to identify individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR). While specialized services for CHR are currently in place, there has been little examination of the subjective experience of those seeking help and accessing these services. The purpose of this article was to describe how initial mental health problems led young people at CHR to seek help, as well as their experiences with mental health care en route to a CHR service. Methods Eleven participants receiving care at a CHR service in Montreal, Canada were interviewed. Results Participants' experiences with mental health difficulties resulted in barriers to their everyday activities, which eventually prompted them to seek out services. Long wait times and other challenges emerged when participants began their mental health care journey, while strong collaboration between services was a facilitator of rapid access to needed care. Discussion These experiences underscore the need for treatment planning of CHR service to be adaptable to the varied and changing experiences of young people at CHR.