Pathways to First Episode Psychosis and Outcomes in Maori New Zealand

Background

There is some evidence that young Māori are disproportionately affected by psychotic disorders including first episode psychosis (FEP), and have worse outcomes. However, little is known about the factors contributing to these inequities or strategies to reduce them.
This project aims to utilise routinely collected national data in the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) to identify detailed patterns of health and social service use preceding a diagnosis of FEP for young Māori, as well as investigating post diagnosis clinical and social pathways that lead to inequities. Qualitative investigation and focus groups with healthcare and social service providers will discuss these pathways to FEP to identify existing service responses and opportunities for further improvement. Patterns of service use will be used to develop recommendations for best practice for Māori with FEP and generate strategies for change to address areas of unmet need.

Aims

The Mana Rangatahi project aims to investigate whether a mix of cultural factors and theoretical components within programmes are effective for at-risk Māori students to help them remain at school to be able to plan positive futures.

Project plan

1. To examine whether Māori cultural content in the programme helps increase at-risk students’ well-being.

2. To examine whether a mix of cultural and theoretical components within a programme improve at-risk youth mental health.

3. To find out what aspects of the whole programme at-risk students find most useful.

Funding organisations

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