Screening adolescents for mental health problems in school may prevent psychotic experiences later on, a new Irish study has found.

Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences examined the impact of school-based interventions on preventing psychotic experiences, which are an early indicator of developing mental disorders in children and adolescents.

According to the study’s lead author, RCSI PhD student, Lorna Staines, psychotic experiences are “particularly common in the adolescent population”.

“They are associated with a four-fold increased risk for psychotic disorder and a three-fold increased risk for any mental disorder,” she explained.

The researchers undertook a secondary data analysis on a randomised control trial of three school-based interventions aimed at reducing suicidal behaviour. They investigated whether these interventions reduced rates of psychotic experiences at three months and 12 months follow-up.

Of the three interventions tested, one was found to be successful. The screening and referral intervention was associated with “a significant reduction in psychotic experiences” compared to the control intervention. It was also the only intervention which led to the prevention of psychotic experiences.

“Prevention has two key objectives - to reduce the symptoms of mental health disorders and prevent new incidence of symptoms. This study demonstrates that school-based interventions have the potential to be effective at both key aims of prevention, making a positive impact on public mental health,” explained Prof Mary Cannon of the RCSI.

Ms Staines added that this study has “for the first time identified school-based programmes as an effective route to prevent psychotic experiences”.

The study is published in the journal BMC Public Health and can be viewed here.