An Early Intervention in Psychosis Service for adolescents

Abstract

Aims: To describe a service operating in Teesside, England, that provides early intervention for young people aged 14-18 years at high risk of, or affected by psychotic illness. Methods:The Service Delivery Model for evaluating and managing young people referred to the service is described. In addition, data routinely collected as part of performance management are presented.

Experience of child and adolescent mental health clinicians working within an at‐risk mental state for psychosis service: a qualitative study

“…Agreed upon guidelines and care pathways for the identification and management of adolescents with a suspected ARMS are needed at a local, national and international level. Some degree of consensus on the assessment and management of under 18s with ARMS exists 5,22 . However, these findings suggest that wider implementation is required.…”

“…However, these findings suggest that wider implementation is required. Separate services for the assessment and treatment of those with the ARMS is a possibility that has been successfully demonstrated 21,22 . Regular training and supervision is required for such teams to ensure health professionals consider potential symptoms within their developmental context.…”

“…Low‐dose antipsychotic medication used for the ARMS occurs, 18,19 although it is more contentious, with opponents suggesting that the risk of adverse effects is outweighed by the uncertainty of the benefits in this group 20 . Within the UK few services have outlined how they assess and treat adolescents and adults with ARMS in the absence of formal guidelines 21,22 . Two national audits indicate that these services are not the norm given that service provisions for under 18s are highly variable 23,24 …”

Attitudes and practice in relation to first-episode psychosis: a survey of child and adult psychiatrists

“…3 In addition, there are also examples of early intervention models where a high degree of integration between CAMHS and adult mental health services (AMHS) has been achieved. 4 Thus, it is likely that most early intervention teams rely on some input from child and adolescent psychiatrists when assessing and managing younger service users affected by first-episode psychosis.…”

An Early Intervention in Psychosis (Eip) Service for Adolescents: The Application of Psychotherapeutic Principles

“…In a 12-month period over 2005/2006 the team received 42 referrals for adolescents aged 14-18 years. A more detailed account of the service is published elsewhere (Tiffin and Hudson 2007).…”