Background on psychosis in schools

• Schools often serve as the first point for identification, referral, and early intervention for youth who begin to display the symptoms of psychosis 

• The first symptoms of psychosis often appear during the last years of school

• Only 20-25% of Canadian youth who need mental health services seek them, and only roughly half that percentage will contact a professional healthcare provider 

 

What are the signs and symptoms of early psychosis?

• Psychosis is a state of delusional beliefs, perceptual disturbances, or disorganized thoughts and can precede a psychotic disorder 

• Onset of psychosis is usually preceded by the prodromal phase, identified by symptoms not readily diagnosable as a single disorder 

• Patterns od symptoms often emerge that alter the level of functioning

• Symptoms include: 

  • reduced concentration and disorganized thoughts,

  • decreased interest in usual activities and social withdrawal 

  • unusual suspiciousness irritability, anxiousness, and/or depressed mood

o   deterioration of schoolwork

o   preoccupation with bizarre or disturbing thoughts 

 

What are risk factors for the development of psychosis and its associated disorders?

• Environmental stress and trauma in childhood

• The use of cannabis, in particular:

  • Being under 15 at first use

  • Frequent use

  • Using cannabis with high levels of THC

• Having a close family member with a psychotic disorder

 

Complications resulting from the use of cannabis and other substances

• Many individuals living with psychotic disorders use substances to manage the symptoms of their psychotic disorder 

• Clinicians can struggle to differentiate substance-induced psychosis from genuine psychosis, particularly in an emergency setting 

• The commonality of comorbid substance use disorders with psychotic disorders further adds to the difficulty of the situation 

 

Supporting a student experiencing psychosis 

• The involvement of family members has been found to enhance the accuracy and speed of the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder

 

How Schools Can Help

• Notice changes in behaviour or functioning 

• Document concerns and patterns over time 

• Encourage students and families to seek help early

• Encourage a wraparound approach for the student that incorporates all aspects of support that the student needs

• Develop an individual support services plan (ISSP) to coordinate these services