Early detection: a survey of secondary school teachers' knowledge about psychosis

To establish how much knowledge and experience secondary school-teachers have about psychosis, sources of help available and how to access help.

A questionnaire survey of 130 secondary school teachers from three secondary schools and one pupil referral unit within the catchment area of the Camden and Islington Early Intervention Service in London. Teachers completed a questionnaire about diagnosis, age of onset, aetiology, prognosis and treatment. They were also asked about their experiences of pupils with possible psychosis and for their views on the teacher's role regarding referral of pupils.

The majority of teachers were able to recognize psychotic symptoms from a case vignette and many were able to correctly identify possible causal factors, prognosis and factors that might help or hinder recovery. Almost a third of teachers had experienced a pupil with possible symptoms of psychosis. However, teachers were much less certain about their own role towards pupils presenting with psychosis and there was much confusion about who had responsibility to help, and how and where to refer such pupils.

The results reinforce the view that teachers are in a strong position in relation to early detection and referral for young people with psychosis. The findings suggest a considerable staff development agenda, especially regarding how to access help and services. Teachers in this study seemed keen for further training in this area.