Investigators: Ashleigh Lin, Yael Perry, Lauren Brooke
The primary objective is to use sport to help young people who have experienced psychosis to learn life skills (e.g., social skills, confidence, communication, conflict resolution, emotional control, etc) to enable them to better cope and thrive. It has been established that sport can promote positive youth development and serve as a platform for teaching important life skills. However, while physical activity and life skills training are important elements in the treatment of mental health problems, there is little knowledge of the potential benefits of a sport-based life skills intervention designed specifically for those with mental health issues.
Individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis will be investigated for three reasons. First, young people who are treated when they initially experience psychosis respond well to dynamic and multi-faceted intervention approaches. Second, the health enhancing effects of physical activity are critical for this population, who tend to experience elevated rates of obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases. Third, the goal of minimised symptoms and a return to functional recovery for young people with psychosis comes as a result, in part, of efforts to nurture independent living, social, and vocational skills.