Development and evaluation of a manualised mental health awareness and stigma reduction intervention for Black faith communities: study protocol for the ON TRAC feasibility study.

Introduction: This paper presents the study protocol for a feasibility study of a manualised mental health awareness and stigma reduction intervention for Black faith communities, as part of the Outcomes and Needs of Traditional Religious And Complementary practitioners (ON TRAC) project. The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and the secondary objectives include assessment of the feasibility of: recruiting participants to take part in the intervention, delivering the intervention, and conducting qualitative assessments, and use of the selected scales. The findings from this study will be used to inform the development of a subsequent trial which will focus on exploring the potential impact of the intervention on stigma-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour.

Pilot study of a manualised mental health awareness and stigma reduction intervention for Black faith communities in the UK: ON TRAC project.

Background: Building partnerships between mental health services and Black faith communities to co-produce culturally tailored interventions is an essential step towards improving access to services and reducing stigma among the Black population. Given that Black faith organisations are considered a primary source of emotional and psychological support they are well positioned as 'gatekeepers' for services, to overcome barriers to engagement and build trusting relationships with the Black community. The aim of this paper is to pilot a manualised mental health awareness and stigma reduction intervention for Black faith communities in the UK, and to make an initial assessment of feasibility, acceptability and outcomes.

Evidence for interventions to promote mental health and reduce stigma in Black faith communities: systematic review.

Purpose: There are significant documented inequalities for the Black community in the UK in relation to mental health care. Research has also indicated that cultural difference exists in pathways into, and engagement with, mental health services. To reduce inequalities and improve engagement with mental health services, it is important that professionals utilise culturally appropriate community networks to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma.

The relationship between ethnicity and service access, treatment uptake and the incidence of psychosis among people at ultra high risk for psychosis.

Black ethnicity is associated with increased risk for psychosis in South London. This study explored the distribution of ethnicity among services users at ultra high risk for psychosis (UHR) and examined the influence of ethnicity on service access, treatment uptake and incidence of psychosis. The ethnic distribution of 228 people at UHR for psychosis, seen in an early detection clinical service over 10 years, was compared with 146 people with first episode psychosis from the same geographic region and census figures for the local population.

Antidepressant, antipsychotic and psychological interventions in subjects at high clinical risk for psychosis: OASIS 6-year naturalistic study.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials suggest some efficacy for focused interventions in subjects at high risk (HR) for psychosis. However, treating HR subjects within the real-world setting of prodromal services is hindered by several practical problems that can significantly make an impact on the effect of focused interventions.

Method: All subjects referred to Outreach and Support in South London (OASIS) and diagnosed with a HR state in the period 2001-2012 were included (n = 258).

Prevalence of self-reported childhood abuse in psychosis: a meta-analysis of retrospective studies.

There is extensive clinical literature reporting traumatic childhood experiences in patients with psychosis. A quantitative meta-analysis addressing the prevalence of self-reported childhood sexual (CSA), physical (CPA) and emotional abuse (CEA) in psychotic patients has yet to be done. We conducted, a systematic literature search to identify retrospective studies addressing self-reported childhood abuse in patients with DSM/ICD psychosis.

Exploring perceptions of "wellness" in black ethnic minority individuals at risk of developing psychosis.

Background: The NICE Schizophrenia guidelines (NICE, 2009, Update) recommend that services should address cultural differences in treatment, expectations and adherence, and clients' explanatory models of illness should be better understood. Service users from Black African and Black Caribbean communities are overrepresented in psychosis services in the UK, yet there is no literature on how wellness is understood by this group.

Aims: This study explored perceptions of wellness in Black African and Black Caribbean individuals with an At Risk Mental State (ARMS) for psychosis.