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Early Intervention
October 29, 2007
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention refers to services provided both before and after the onset of psychosis. These programs have grown from the recognition that a substantial amount of the disability that often accompanies psychotic illnesses begins prior to the appearance of full psychotic symptoms. The period between ages 15 and 25, which is the peak period for onset of psychotic disorders, is also the time when individuals develop critical life skills, their personal identity and a social network. Early Intervention programs provide services that focus not only on symptoms and cognitive deficits, but more importantly on helping the individual to maintain or restore life role functioning as quickly as possible.
Who's Doing Early Intervention?
Early Intervention programs can be found around the world. Australia, New Zealand and England have adopted nationwide strategies for the implementation of Early Intervention Strategies. Learn more about Early Intervention programs in the United States and Early Intervention programs in Canada.
Why is Early Intervention Important?
- Definition & Benefits: Early Intervention for Psychosis
- A Literature Review of Early Interventions for Psychosis
Why Does This Matter Now?
The California Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) brings an opportunity to launch Early Intervention programs in the state. The MHSA was established by passage of Proposition 63 in 2004 to provide increased funding, personnel and other resources to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition age youth, adults, older adults and families. The Act addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention and service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements that will effectively support this system.
Learn more about:
- MHSA Prevention & Early Intervention
- MHSA PEI Program & Expenditure Guidelines
- MHSA PEI Program Draft Resource Materials
How Does this Affect Me?
As a member of the community, you have the opportunity and ability to advocate for the services that you feel counties should include in their Prevention and Early Intervention plans.
- To learn more about your specific County's plan, start by calling your local Department of Mental Health or Behavioral Health and ask for information regarding the Mental Health Services Act and the Prevention & Early Intervention planning proces.
- To read about how Early Intervention programs have helped Tara M. and her family, visit "Get Help Early."
- As a parent with a childn suffereing from early psychosis, Peer Support for Parents of Psychosis Sufferers, based in British Columbia, Canada, offers information and encouragement.
How Can I Learn More?
Telecare Contact:
Dr. Shelley Levin, slevin@telecarecorp.com.
Organizations:
- Get Help Early
- International Early Psychosis Association
- Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health
- New Zealand Early Intervention in Psychosis Society
Publications:
Books:
- Working With People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook
- Early Intervention in Psychosis: A Guide to Concepts, Evidence and Interventions
- Implementing Early Intervention in Psychosis: A Guide to Establishing Early Psychosis Services
- Best Care in Early Psychosis Intervention
- Psychological Interventions in Early Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook
- The Recognition and Management of Early Psychosis: A Preventive Approach
- Treating Schizophrenia in the Prodromal Phase
Articles:
International clinical practice guidelines for early psychosis, by International Early Psychosis Association Writing Group
Early intervention and recovery for young people with early psychosis: consensus statement, by J. BERTOLOTE, MD, World Health Organization, and P. McGORRY, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRANZCP, International Early Psychosis Assocation
Early Intervention in youth mental health, by Medical Journal of Australia
Benefits of Enriched Intervention Compared With Standard Care for Patients With Recent-Onset Psychosis: A Metaanalytic Approach, by Philippe-Olivier Harvey, MPS, et al. (Copyright, La Revue canadienne de psychiatrie)
