Recognition of depression and psychosis by young Australians and their beliefs about treatment

Abstract

Objectives: To assess young people's ability to recognise clinically defined depression and psychosis, the types of help they thought appropriate for these problems, their knowledge of appropriate treatments, and their perceptions regarding prognosis. Design: A cross-sectional telephone survey using structured interviews. Vignettes of a person with either depression or psychosis were presented, followed by questions related to recognition of the disorder, best forms of treatment and the prognosis. Participants: A randomly selected sample of 1207 young people aged 12-25 years. Setting: Melbourne, Victoria, and surrounding regional and rural areas. Outcome measures: Responses to a mental healt..