Reimagining psychosis prevention: responding to the accessibility issues of At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) services through a selective public health approach

• DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2024.112
• Publication Date: 2025-01-15T09:10:10Z
• Authors: Luke Brown; Siân Lowri Griffiths
• Keywords: at-risk mental states; Psychiatry; psychosocial interventions; Prevention; RC435-571; mental health services; psychotic disorders/schizophrenia

At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) services aim to prevent the onset of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in those with specific clinical or genetic risk markers. In England, ARMS are currently expanding, but accessibility this preventative approach remains questionable, especially for a subgroup FEP patients and from ethnic minority communities. This commentary outlines key debates about why complimentary prevention is necessary, gives details an innovative public health strategy, drawing on existing research theory.