Mental Health Literacy and Information Needs of Young Adults With First Episode Psychosis and Their Support Persons.

Longer treatment involvement significantly predicted greater willingness to seek out information among participants with first episode psychosis and their support persons.

• Participants were recruited from a first episode psychosis clinic in Canada
• Sample included 57 service users and 43 support persons (N = 100)
• Data were collected through an online mixed-methods survey
• Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the relationships between treatment duration, outcome, mental health literacy, and information needs

Higher mental health literacy significantly predicted higher treatment satisfaction among both service users and support persons.

• Both service users (n = 57) and support persons (n = 43) were included in the analysis
• Mental health literacy was assessed across both participant groups
• Both participant groups reported a broad range of mental health literacy and information preferences
• Findings have implications for psychoeducation and treatment planning in first episode psychosis

Higher mental health literacy significantly predicted lower stress levels among service users with first episode psychosis.

• This association was found specifically among service users (n = 57), not reported separately for support persons
• Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between mental health literacy and stress levels
• The finding highlights the important role mental health literacy can play beyond treatment satisfaction

Participants identified specific information needs related to three broad themes: Diagnosis and Recovery, Treatment, and Healthy Functioning.

• Specific information needs were identified through open-ended questions
• Content analysis was used to review responses
• Both service users and support persons contributed to the identification of these themes
• These themes were identified across the full sample of N = 100 participants

Participants preferred to receive information through Reliable Sources, Group Programming, and Peer Support.

• Preferred information channels were identified through open-ended survey questions and content analysis
• Three categories of preferred information delivery were identified: Reliable Sources, Group Programming, and Peer Support
• Both service users and support persons expressed these preferences
• Findings have direct implications for the design of psychoeducation programs in first episode psychosis settings