Key Findings
Nearly 80% of college students with psychosis reported needing mental health support, and about 80% sought therapy or counseling in the past year.
However, less than 40% took antipsychotic medication, and less than 40% received the recommended combination of therapy and medication.
Students who did not believe they needed help or doubted treatment effectiveness were significantly less likely to seek services.
Background
Psychosis affects approximately 3% of the U.S. population, with the average age of onset around 20 years. Delays in treatment average 74 weeks from symptom onset. This study is among the largest to assess treatment utilization among college students diagnosed with psychosis, analyzing data from 2,819 students.
Statements
"This high identified need for help but low utilization of services indicates potential barriers to accessing care," said lead author Clara Godoy-Henderson, a PhD student at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). She noted that support systems may play a crucial role in early intervention.
Implications
Researchers suggest that barriers such as stigma may explain the low use of medication. Encouragement from support systems was associated with higher treatment uptake, whereas pressure or force may have different effects. Future research should examine long-term outcomes and specific barriers to antipsychotic medication.
Study Source
Data came from the Healthy Minds Study (2015–2024) , published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Senior author Dr. Sarah Lipson is a principal investigator of the Healthy Minds Network.