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Mental Health Services Research Targeting the Clinical High-Risk State for Psychosis: Lessons, Future Directions and Integration with Patient Perspectives

  • Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders (AK Pandurangi, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We summarize the history of the clinical high-risk stage of psychosis (CHR), current research on this stage and recent critiques of the field, and evaluate current CHR guidelines and frameworks.

Recent Findings

Following its identification and characterization, CHR services have successfully been developed in North America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. As reflected in guidelines, these services and their orientation largely emerged as an outgrowth of the framework pioneered by early intervention services for first-episode psychosis. We critically discuss what is known so far about the subjective experience of the CHR syndrome, the meaning of this “unofficial” diagnosis as well as what is known and unknown about the service-related needs.

Summary

While a range of outstanding questions remain in the field, there is a particular need for patient-oriented work and to investigate the service-related needs of young people at CHR.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Acknowledgements

S.V.M. has received funds to support her graduate studies from the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé (doctoral training award). J.L.S. has received clinician-scientist career funding from the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Sarah V. McIlwaine

  2. Prevention and Early Intervention Programme for Psychosis (PEPP-Montreal), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 7070 boul. Champlain, Verdun, Montreal, QC, H4H 1A8, Canada

    Sarah V. McIlwaine & Jai Shah

  3. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Jai Shah

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  1. Sarah V. McIlwaine
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Correspondence to Jai Shah.

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McIlwaine, S.V., Shah, J. Mental Health Services Research Targeting the Clinical High-Risk State for Psychosis: Lessons, Future Directions and Integration with Patient Perspectives. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01224-0

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