While overall rates of psychosis in Canada appear stable, there has been a sharp increase in diagnoses among adolescents and young adults, and they are receiving diagnoses at younger ages than did members of older generations, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. 

Researchers suggest the trend may reflect a mix of factors, including improved early diagnosis and treatment and increasing consumption of psychoactive substances. 

McGill University experts are available to comment. 

Romina Mizrahi is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the McGill Research Centre for Cannabis. Her recent research found cannabis disrupts brain activity in young adults prone to psychosis. 

romina.mizrahi [at] mcgill.ca (English, French) 

Srividya Iyer is the Canada Research Chair in Youth, Mental Health and Learning Health Systems and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. She leads a project to reform youth mental health in Canada. 

srividya.iyer [at] mcgill.ca  (English, French) 

Jai Shah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a Researcher at the Douglas Hospital Research Centre. He studies the early stages of psychotic illness in youth, including who is most at risk and how symptoms first appear. 

jai.shah [at] mcgill.ca (English)