Rethinking Pathways: Innovative Approaches to Identify Individuals Experiencing First-Episode Psychosis and Connect Them to Care

Introduction Psychotic disorders, particularly schizophrenia, are severe mental illnesses associated with high rates of disability and functional impairment, causing significant individual burden and incurring high societal costs. Typical onset of schizophrenia is in late adolescence or early adulthood and the complex management requires often life-long pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Early symptom recognition and timely intervention can improve the course of illness and result in better outcome and prognosis, effective management leads to a functional recovery. However, recent reports have identified significant gaps in access to timely assessment and shared decision-making interventions, with inadequate care pathways. In the face of an unprecedented demand for mental healthcare for young people, it can be challenging for health services to deliver high-quality mental healthcare which, according to the World Health Organization, should be timely, effective and evidence-based, safe and person-centered. The project covers nine countries in Europe. Objectives Building on the European Brain Council Rethinking Schizophrenia Beyond The Voices Policy Report (2024), the survey and literature review aim to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of integrated models of youth mental healthcare on a broader range of outcomes, including both mental health outcomes, such as clinical symptoms, functioning and quality of life and health service outcomes, including access and satisfaction with care in young people; and (2) identify the common components of integrated care pathways for young people with first episode psychosis. Methods Using the care pathway as a tool at the first step of the research, a cross-country survey was co-designed with the Board of experts and anonymously launched earlier this year. By complementing the survey, the literature review on the care pathway will address quality and continuity of care from the first onset of psychosis and schizophrenia to long-term care in the selected countries including existing guidelines and overview country health situation assessments. Results Patients and mental health professionals’ insights will be collected. Obtained data will also be analysed by the stakeholders and used to formulate recommendations for policy makers, care payers, mental health professionals, patients and their families (both country specific and at the EU level). Conclusions A policy report, based on the consensus, will be released at the Brain Awareness Week 2025 with results and recommendations which will provide valuable insight into understanding the needs of patients with first-episode psychosis and defining the optimal care pathways to engage with them. In order to show that there is a progress in the field of care for schizophrenia patients, the utilization of new technologies is included. Disclosure of Interest None Declared