Culturally Adapted Psychosocial Intervention for Suicidal Ideation in Individuals With First Episode Psychosis: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Psychosis is one of the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting 29 million people. First Episode Psychosis (FEP) occurs at a young age and is thought to be a critical period, influencing the long-term course of the disorder. The early course of psychosis is characterised by repeated relapses with up to 80 % relapsing within five years of an initial episode. It has been reported that individuals diagnosed with psychosis disorders are also identified with developing experiences of self-harm, completed suicide or suicide attempt. A systematic review on identification of correlation between self-harm/suicidality and FEP, also suggested association of suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior though additional research is highly recommended in this particular subject Psychological therapies are widely used in the high-income countries, but very limited in LMIC like Pakistan due to factors including lack of trained mental health workers and inadequate infrastructure to support secondary mental health services. These factors, amongst others, contribute to the significant treatment gap in LMICs like Pakistan. There are currently no early intervention services in Pakistan and given the shortage of appropriately trained clinicians to deliver psychosocial interventions novel approaches are needed. We have culturally adapted Cognitive Behavior therapy which demonstrated feasibility and acceptability for psychosis in Pakistan. To address suicide specific symptoms, content will be integrated from the life after self-harm manual (CMAP. It is a CBT based problem solving intervention for self-harm which has been adapted in Pakistan in a feasibility trial and a recently completed MRC funded large multicenter trial (n=901)