KEY POINTS:
Experts have warned that a first episode of mental illness must be treated as a "psychiatric emergency".
Australian researchers analysed homicides committed by mentally ill people in New South Wales between 1993 and 2002.
The study found 88 mentally ill people had killed during the decade. At the time of their offence, 54 - or 61 per cent - were experiencing their first psychotic bout and had not received effective treatment.
