“Young People Come to Youth Workers First”: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Role of Youth Workers in Youth Psychosis Detection

TL;DR

Youth workers can help detect psychosis in young people, but they need better training and support to overcome stigma and system barriers.

Contribution

This study is the first to examine youth workers' perspectives on psychosis detection and their training needs in this role.

Findings

Most youth workers felt confident in recognizing psychosis but identified stigma and poor mental health service relationships as barriers.

Participants emphasized the need for accessible, practical training integrated into a broader mental health curriculum.

Youth workers expressed willingness to support psychosis detection and called for trans-diagnostic training and multidisciplinary partnerships.

Abstract

Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a cornerstone of effective early intervention for psychosis (EIP) services. Delays in help seeking are a significant component of DUP, particularly among youth. Given their role as trusted adults in young people's lives, youth workers are uniquely positioned to play a role in early detection networks. However, their views regarding this remain largely unexamined.

This study aimed to explore youth workers' perspectives on identifying and responding to psychosis in youth and the training needed to support them in this role.

A sequential‐independent mixed methods design was employed. A brief questionnaire was given to youth workers (n = 86) who attended a 1‐day EIP training session, followed by semi‐structured interviews with a subset of participants (n = 10) 3 months later.

Most participants (98.8%) expressed confidence in recognising psychosis; however, stigma and challenging relationships with mental health services emerged as systemic barriers. Although most participants (98.8%) found the EIP training relevant to their role, they suggested it should form part of a broader mental health curriculum. There was a clear consensus among participants that such training is necessary and should be accessible, practical and actionable.

Youth workers are uniquely positioned in identifying and supporting young people at risk of psychosis, and this study underscores their willingness to take on this role. To best support them, training efforts should focus on trans‐diagnostic approaches that enhance mental health literacy, address systemic barriers and promote multidisciplinary partnerships.

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