Most informational campaigns to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) have been unsuccessful. Moreover, there has been little attention given to high-risk, culturally diverse groups. The overall objective of this application is to strengthen the effectiveness of informational campaigns by bringing more scientific rigor to their development and by extending their reach through sustainable campaigns for diverse, high-risk communities. Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults (ages 15-64) residing in a high density (>80%) Latino (largely Mexican origin) community within Los Angeles County will serve as the target group. This group is at high risk for DUP given its low rates of mental health service use and its large proportion of immigrants because immigrants have elevated incidence rates of psychotic disorders. To achieve the overall objective, a multi-level and multi-platform Spanish language Communication Campaign (CC) will be carried out (a) to increase the psychosis literacy of Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults; (b) to reduce the DUP for Latinos with first-episode psychosis (FEP), and (c) to explore the relationship between DUP and the psychosis literacy of individuals with FEP and their caregivers. Embedded in the multiple media formats is the central message: Use La CLAve (the clue) to detect serious mental illness in your loved ones, a message that has been shown in preliminary studies to increase psychosis literacy. La CLAve is both an acronym and mnemonic device to help people remember the key symptoms of psychosis. To enhance the sustainability of the CC, multiple levels of the community (individuals, care facilitators, community resources, and the mental health institution) will be administered the program, master copies of the informational campaign will be distributed to key community personnel, and community personnel will be trained to administer key aspects of the CC. To assess the penetration and sustainability of the IC, surveys will be conducted of representative households (N = 500 for each wave) at three time points: baseline, 18 months and 36 months. An increase and maintenance of psychosis literacy is expected over the 3-year period. To assess whether there is a reduction of DUP, intake workers at San Fernando Mental Health Clinic will identify the DUP for all incoming Latino patients with FEP over a 4-year period. Based on incidence rates of psychotic disorders and the population of the targeted community, 60 Latino patients with FEP are expected each year (N = 240). Compared to a 1-year baseline, the DUP is expected to decrease significantly over the next 3 years. To explore the relationship of individual's DUP and psychosis literacy, the psychosis literacy and referral sources of all new FEP patients and their caregivers will be among the relevant variables that are examined. The proposed research program has the potential to lead a second generation of DUP reduction programs, one that has a strong evidence base and that reaches many in need, including those underserved groups with high risk for prolonged DUP.

Public Health Relevance

The overall objective of this application is to strengthen the effectiveness of informational campaigns used to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis and to improve their reach to high risk, diverse communities. More effective campaigns will result in a greater number of persons with first-episode psychosis receiving timely services, and, in turn, reducing their potentially great disability burden. Targeting high risk, diverse communities, such as Spanish-speaking Latinos, will help insure that those communities in greatest need will benefit from early treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH103830-05
Application #
9330930
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1)
Program Officer
Azrin, Susan
Project Start
2013-09-26
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2017-09-01
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
072933393
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90033
Hernandez, Mercedes; Franco, Richard; Kopelowicz, Alex et al. (2018) Lessons Learned in Clinical Research Recruitment of Immigrants and Minority Group Members with First-Episode Psychosis. J Immigr Minor Health :
Santos, Maria M; Kopelowicz, Alex; López, Steven R (2018) Recovery From Schizophrenia: The Case of Mexican-Origin Consumers and Family Caregivers. J Nerv Ment Dis 206:439-445
López, Steven R; Gamez, Diana; Mejia, Yesenia et al. (2018) Psychosis Literacy Among Latinos With First-Episode Psychosis and Their Caregivers. Psychiatr Serv :appips201700400
Vega, William A; Wallace, Steven P (2016) Affordable Housing: A Key Lever to Community Health for Older Americans. Am J Public Health 106:635-6
Hernandez, Maria Y; Mejia, Yesenia; Mayer, Doe et al. (2016) Using a Narrative Film to Increase Knowledge and Interpersonal Communication About Psychosis Among Latinos. J Health Commun 21:1236-1243
Calderon, Vanessa; Mejia, Yesenia; del Carmen Lara-Muñoz, María et al. (2015) Towards the sustainability of information campaigns: training Promotores to increase the psychosis literacy of Spanish-speaking communities. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 50:665-9
Casas, Rachel Nichole; Gonzales, Edlin; Aldana-Aragón, Eréndira et al. (2014) Toward the early recognition of psychosis among Spanish-speaking adults on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Psychol Serv 11:460-9