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What Happens After Experiencing Psychosis for the First Time?

September 27, 2018

It might start subtly or be something easily attributable to the nuances and stresses of growing up, but first-episode psychosis is an important peek at the mental unraveling that will certainly occur if nothing is done.

Early intervention is key to helping people with first-episode psychosis, or FEP, get the help they need to lead fuller and happier lives as they grapple with the delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, disorganized motor behavior and other symptoms consistent with psychosis, according to Patricia Graham of the Connecting Adolescents with Psychosis Program and mental health first-aid coordinator with the Behavioral Health Network.

Graham recently announced that the Institute of Living was one of 10 organizations accepted to participate by the National Council on Behavioral Health as part of a Community of Practice to help people in the community understand, recognize and address FEP in individuals through piloting a Mental Health First Aid First Episode Psychosis Curriculum.

“This is a great opportunity for us to assist the National Council in developing a pilot program for identifying first-episode psychosis,” she says, adding that three in every 100 people will experience FEP in their lifetime, usually between the ages of 15 and 25. “Early identification and treatment is critical to these people.”

As part of participation in the national program, Graham and her team will organize one community training for at least 10 key community groups that would most likely work or come into contact with people experiencing FEP. That includes law enforcement, staff at YMCAs, the Connecticut Healthy Campus initiative, mental health centers and others. Partnering with the Wheeler Clinic, which has an adult trainer working in the state prevention community, will assist in Mental Health First Aid First Episode Psychosis Curriculum FEP training.

“The goal is to educate the community about the signs of FEP so they can help someone receive services and refer individuals for early intervention,” says Graham. “Mental Health First Aid FEP will focus on signs and symptoms and how to get someone the help they need if a mental health problem is developing or if a crisis occurs.”

Up to 30 people can attend the free eight-hour session which will be scheduled between November and December.

The Institute of Living provides a range of services for psychosis, including Connecting Adolescents with Psychosis Program, the POTENTIAL Early Psychosis Program and the Schizophrenia Rehab Program.

“Participating in this national initiative affords the IOL and the BHN the opportunity to connect with a lot of other organizations nationally to find out what they’re doing,” says Graham.

Information on the upcoming training will be available soon. For more information on behavioral health services for adolescents, click here.