Resources for Recognizing and Responding to First-Episode Psychosis

With the right treatment and support, individuals affected by a first episode of psychosis can and do get better. The opportunities for living a quality life are much greater if an individual receives Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis treatment as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

To find community-based Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis Treatment Programs:

In Ohio:

mha.ohio.gov/GetHelpEarly

In the United States:

PEPPNET Map/Directory of Early Psychosis Intervention Programs

Strong 365’s Find Help

Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center at NEOMED

The mission of the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center is to promote recovery and improve the lives of as many people affected by schizophrenia as possible by accelerating the adoption of evidence-based and promising practices. The BeST Center provides expert training, consultation and technical assistance to community mental health agencies that the agencies can provide best practices in schizophrenia treatment as part of routine community-based care. To learn more about the BeST practice of FIRST Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis, please visit this page.

Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER), Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

The Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER) offers specialized behavioral health services and support for youth and young adults with psychosis or at-risk for developing a psychotic illness. The EPICENTER also offers a speaker series.

Hearing Voices Network

Hearing Voices Network seeks to raise awareness of the diversity of voices, visions and similar experiences, challenge negative stereotypes, stigma and discrimination,  help create spaces for people to talk freely about voice-hearing, visions and similar sensory experiences, raise awareness of a range of ways to managing voice-hearing and encourage a more positive response to voice-hearing and related experiences in healthcare and other settings.

Mental Health America

• Schizophrenia

National Alliance on Mental Illness

• Early Psychosis: What Is Going On and What You Can Do, National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Encouraging People to Seek Help for Early Psychosis, National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

• Back to School: Toolkits to Support the Full Inclusion of Students with Early Psychosis in Higher Education
• Best Practices in Cultural Competence Caring for Individuals with First-Episode Psychosis and their Families
• Understanding and Addressing the Stigma Experienced by People with First Episode Psychosis

National Institute of Mental Health

• Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode
• Schizophrenia
• Understanding Psychosis
• Schizophrenia publications, including links to publications En español

Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services

• Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis: Get Help Early
• Help for First Episode Psychosis – Information for Individuals and Families

PEPPNET

PEPPNET’s mission is to support the national network of programs providing services to those at risk for or experiencing early psychosis by promoting communication, collaboration, and best practices so that individuals and families experiencing early psychosis have timely access to specialized, appropriate and affordable care.

Map/Directory of Early Psychosis Intervention Programs

Psychiatric Services

Structural Disadvantage and Culture, Race, and Ethnicity in Early Psychosis Services: International Provider Survey by Nev Jones, Ph.D., Sarah Kamens, Ph.D., Oladunni Oluwoye, Ph.D., Franco Mascayano, M.P.H., Chris Perry, L.F.M.T., Marc Manseau, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H.

Schizophrenia

Systematic review of pathways to care in the U.S. for Black individuals with early psychosis by Oladunni Oluwoye, O., Davis, B., Kuhney, F.S., and Anglin, D.M.

Students With Psychosis

Students With Psychosis is a global nonprofit that empowers student leaders and advocates worldwide through community building and collaboration. Students With Psychosis provides over 160+ hours monthly of virtual programming at no cost to student leaders and advocates with facilitated programming opportunities to get more involved every day.

Instagram: @studentswithpsychosis

Facebook: @studentswithpsychosis

Strong 365

Strong 365 is a mental health support community that offers online education, 24/7 peer support and connection to specialized care across the U.S., with a goal of shortening the path to quality mental health support for young people. Visit Strong 365’s Find Help page to download a list of early psychosis programs.