JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Regular cannabis use [three times a week or more] is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for subsequent psychosis among young people under 18 years. Furthermore, cannabis is the most prevalent substance associated with later conversion to schizophrenia among young people experiencing a substance-induced psychosis. Cannabis use disorder among young people with a first episode of psychosis contributes to relapse, hospitalization, and impaired functioning. However, few studies have examined what young people with early-phase psychosis, particularly those from Black racialized communities, understand or appreciate about this relationship - even though they may be the ones most at risk. There are no formally tested knowledge translation (KT) strategies that disseminate these research findings for young people with emerging psychosis from Black racialized communities.

Objective:

• To conceptualize what young people with early-phase psychosis/cannabis use disorder understand the relationship between cannabis and psychosis, focusing on people from racialized backgrounds. • To evaluate the use of knowledge translation products – video games about cannabis and psychosis - for young people with emerging psychosis from Black racialized communities.

Methods:

This study will evaluate the use of a new psychoeducational KT product - The Back to Reality Video Game SERIES (the SERIES), featuring a Black youth with emerging psychosis who uses cannabis as the hero. The intent is to compare perceptions before and after exposure to the SERIES to establish whether it raises awareness of the mental health effects of cannabis upon psychosis. This project will also foster community engagement of stakeholders to create a referral strategy to boost enrollment of young people with a first episode of psychosis from Black racialized communities.

Results:

We began recruiting participants for this study in September 2021. Recruitment is being tailored to fit with the pandemic related restrictions. The recruitment target is expected to be met by February 2023. The full analysis of the results will be completed after this date.

Conclusions:

We began recruiting participants for this study in September 2021. So far, we have had two Advisory committee meetings, one in October and the second in December 2021. Recruitment is being tailored to fit with the pandemic related restrictions. The recruitment target is expected to be met by February 2023. The full analysis of the results will be completed after this date.