Kate Hardy1, Caroline Dickens2, Teal Mackintosh2, Erika Roach1, Vicki Harrison1, Douglas Noordsy1, Steven Adelsheim1; 1Stanford University, 2PSGP-Stanford PsyD Consortium
Longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been shown to have long-term deleterious effects on outcomes. In the United States, the RAISE study reported a median DUP of 74 weeks, which is far longer than the 12 weeks recommended by the World Health Organization. Research has focused on identifying factors contributing to an extended DUP and creating associated initiatives to reduce the length of time it takes for individuals to access treatment. Stigma is one of the factors seen to contribute to a delay in accessing treatment. However, there has been little exploration of the experience of stigma, and the impact of stigma on accessing treatment, as reported by consumers and family members. The Prodromal and Early Psychosis Program Network (PEPPNET) Lived Experience workgroup identified a need to explore the impact of stigma on decisions to seek care. A survey was developed and distributed through the PEPPNET listserv. This survey consisted of questions designed to elicit quantitative and qualitative data relating to the experience of accessing care at the onset of psychosis. 193 respondents completed the survey with respondents including consumers (21%), family members (70%), and other respondents (9%). Qualitative analysis yielded themes related to the impact of stigma on accessing care, stigma resulting in negative perceptions of outcomes, and approaches to reduce stigma. Results will be discussed and recommendations developed from this study, by the members of the Lived Experience workgroup, will be presented.
