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

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. 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. 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. Awareness campaigns which target multiple groups and use various modes of communication are effective in influencing the DUP and patterns of help-seeking.