Explain FEP homicide risk and responsibility to a worried family — CASC communication station

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes active time. You are the psychiatry registrar speaking with parents after an early-psychosis assessment clinic visit. ^[1]

Candidate instructions. Acknowledge fear without amplifying stigma. Explain that absolute risk of homicide is low even though relative risk of violence can be raised. Explain why untreated first-episode psychosis is the period of greatest concern in homicide research among psychotic cases. Cover warning signs (threat content, substances, family fear, weapons access). Outline urgent assessment/treatment pathways. Clarify that a schizophrenia diagnosis is not the same as a legal insanity finding. Do not invent statute numbers. Check understanding and safety plan. ^[1][2][3][5]