Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis and changing help-seeking behaviour in Singapore

AIM: This study was conducted to examine the impact of early detection strategies of an early psychosis intervention programme on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and the pattern of help-seeking behaviour. METHOD: Patients with first-episode psychosis were compared before and after the initiation of a programme of public education and networking with primary health care providers. These two groups were compared on the DUP and the change in the pattern of help-seeking. RESULTS: The DUP was significantly reduced from a median of 12 to median of 4 months (p=0.002, Mann-Whitney U-test). There was an increase in the proportion of self and family referrals, and a fall in the proportion of police referrals. CONCLUSION: Awareness campaigns which target multiple groups and use various modes of communication are effective in influencing the DUP and patterns of help-seeking.