Published Guidebook for High-Risk Psychosis Groups

Gyeongnam Provincial Mental Health Welfare Center and Gyeongnam Province Collaboration

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jo Yoon-jung] The Gyeongsangnam-do Regional Mental Health Welfare Center, in collaboration with Gyeongsangnam-do, has jointly developed the "Psychosis High-Risk Group Guide," which has been published as an e-book in bookstores.

Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder recover faster and can prevent chronic progression when treatment is received as soon as possible after onset. Therefore, early detection and treatment before the onset period is crucial.

'Guide for High-Risk Groups of Psychosis'.

According to the 2022 Gyeongsangnam-do Youth Mental Health Survey conducted last year by the Gyeongsangnam-do Regional Mental Health Welfare Center, 1.7% were identified as belonging to the psychosis high-risk group. Among them, only 12.5% were confirmed to have received help from psychiatric specialists, indicating a low rate of actual treatment.

Additionally, 29.2% of this group were unaware of the Mental Health Welfare Center, and the actual usage rate of the center was 0%.

This confirms that early intervention for the psychosis high-risk group is not being adequately implemented.

The relatively unfamiliar term "psychosis high-risk group" refers to individuals who have the potential to develop psychosis such as schizophrenia. The "Psychosis High-Risk Group Guide" was created to facilitate understanding of the psychosis high-risk group by including concepts, diagnosis, clinical course, differential diagnosis, case studies, treatment, and the role of families, making it easy to comprehend.

Center Director Lee Tae-young said, "With the publication of this booklet, we expect to provide guidelines for mental health professionals on intervening with the psychosis high-risk group and to offer the general public an accessible route to mental health information."