Information for Policymakers

Policymakers who are working to improve the lives of persons with or at risk for mental illness are likely to find the materials listed under all sections of the Early Intervention in Psychosis virtual resource center to be of interest. Listed below are some additional references that may be of particular use to those addressing this issue from a policy perspective.

Additional References
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP)

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP) generated excellent results for the youth receiving care, including: reduced symptomatology; improved functioning; and increased participation in school/work. Additionally, this demonstration showed that effective systems of early identification and preventive intervention could be established in nationally representative cities and counties.

The Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis in Adolescents and Young Adults report of RWJF’s EDIPPP initiative provides a detailed overview of the rationale, structure, clinical protocols, operation, technical support, evaluation procedures, results, sustainability efforts, and key lessons learned in this comprehensive national initiative to help persons at risk for psychosis. An Executive Summary is also available. Click here for information on published research articles on outcomes.

RWJF also produced several short Issue Briefs in conjunction with the EDIPPP project that succinctly and effectively present the needs and benefits associated with investing in comprehensive care that can improve the long-term outcomes of persons in prodromal stages of psychosis.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

In 2015, SAMHSA released an Inventory and Environmental Scan of Evidence Based Practices for Treating Persons in Early Stages of Serious Mental Disorders. This comprehensive informational resource includes: examples of coordinated care models focused on meeting the needs of persons with recent-onset illness; information on individual evidence based practices that are common components of such models; a compilation of additional resources for providers, policymakers, families, and consumers on this topic; and brief narrative profiles for 10 specific coordinated care programs.

Subsequently, SAMHSA commissioned the development of several additional informational resources (fact sheets, guides, brochures, issue briefs, and a web-based curricula) designed to further assist states and communities with the planning, implementation, and operation of coordinated specialty care programs and associated services and supports to meet the needs of persons experiencing a first episode of psychosis.  These materials are provided below.

PDF icon Information Guide: Use of Performance Measures in Early Intervention Programs
PDF icon Issue Brief: What Comes After Early Intervention
PDF icon Toolkit: Back to School Support for Full Inclusion of Students with Early Psychosis in Higher Education, Campus Staff & Admin.
PDF icon Toolkit: Back to School Support for Full Inclusion of Students with Early Psychosis in Higher Education, Student & Family
PDF icon Brochures: Optimizing Medication Management for Persons Who Experienced a First Episode of Psychosis
PDF icon Distance Education Course: A Family Primer on Psychosis
PDF icon Issue Brief: Age and Developmental Considerations in Early Psychosis
PDF icon Policy Brief: Coordinated Specialty Care (Why Specialty Early Intervention Programs are a Smart Investment)
PDF icon Fact Sheet: Supporting Student Success in Higher Education Beyond the Clinic
PDF icon Information Guide: Snapshot of State Plans for Using the Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) Ten Percent Set-Aside
PDF icon Inventory and Environmental Scan of Evidence Based Practices for Treating Persons in Early Stages of Serious Mental Disorders
PDF icon Guidance Manual: Peer Involvement and Leadership in Early Intervention in Psychosis Services
PDF icon Fact Sheet: Building upon Existing Programs and Services to Meet the Needs of Persons with First Episode Psychosis
PDF icon Fact Sheet: Implementation of Coordinated Specialty Services for First Episode Psychosis in Rural and Frontier Communities
PDF icon Issue Brief: Supported Education for Persons Experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis
PDF icon Information Guide: Steps and Decision Points in Starting an Early Psychosis Program
PDF icon Web-Based Tutorial: Early Intervention in Psychosis: A Primer
The National Center for Children in Poverty

In 2009, The National Center for Children in Poverty produced Facts for Policy Makers: Adolescent Mental Health in the United States that offers helpful information and recommendations for proactively addressing the mental health needs of young people.

PDF icon Facts for Policy Makers: Adolescent Mental Health in the United States
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website includes a statistics section with data on prevalence, disability, and costs associated with serious mental illness.

Statistics
Consumer Testimony

Click here to view consumer testimony that was provided in 2014 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during a hearing entitled “Examining Mental Health Trends: Treatment Options and Trends.”

Archived Webinars
Mental Health Block Grant 10% Set-Aside: Information Session
New Informational Resources on Addressing First Episode Psychosis: Product Overview
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation EDIPPP Panel, 2013: Question and Answer session ( 22-minute video )(link is external)
The Growing Momentum in Early and First Episode Psychosis Programs
Promoting Meaningful Family Involvement in Coordinated Specialty Care Programming for Persons with First Episode of Psychosis
Supported Education as a Component of Coordinated Specialty Care for Persons with First Episode Psychosis
Evidence Based Approaches to Systematic Fidelity Assessment for First Episode Programs
Funding Strategies for Early Psychosis Intervention Models
Prep for Success: Lessons Learned in Implementing Models for Early Intervention in Psychosis
Community Outreach and Prevention as an Element of Early Intervention in Psychosis
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Recovery with Persons in Early Stages of Serious Mental Illness
Preventing Neuroprogression in Bipolar Disorder by Early Intervention
Oregon Early Assessment & Support Alliance (EASA) Webinars Series: Early Psychosis Intervention for Teens and Young Adults(link is external)
Opportunities for Utilizing Peer Support and other Meaningful Peer Roles in Coordinated Specialty Care
Measuring the Impact of Early Intervention Programs for First Episode Psychosis: Experiences and Lessons Learned
Inventory and Environmental Scan of Evidence - Based Practices for Treating Persons in Early Stages of Serious Mental Disorders
Using the 5% MHBG Set-Aside to Support Programming for First Episode Psychosis: Activities and Lessons Learned from the State of
Strategies for Funding Coordinated Specialty Care Initiatives
An Overview of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for Persons with First Episode Psychosis
Practical Approaches to Measuring Fidelity in Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis
Providing Treatment for First Episode Psychosis Clients: Telehealth and other Strategies(link is external)
Optimizing First Episode Schizophrenia Medication Treatment Using the RAISE-ETP (NAVIGATE) Model(link is external)
Team-based Treatment for First Episode Psychosis is Cost Effective: Implications for Policy and Practice
Providing Coordinated Specialty Care Services for First Episode Psychosis in Rural and Frontier Settings
Peer Involvement & Leadership in Early Intervention in Psychosis Services
Part 2:  Recognizing and Addressing Suicide Ideation and Behavior in individuals with a First Episode Psychosis

 

 

Cultural Competence and Caring for Individuals with First-Episode Psychosis and their Families
PDF icon Handouts
Weinar Recording
International Resources

The New South Wales Health Department

The New South Wales Health Department produced a document in 2001, “Getting in Early: A framework for early intervention and prevention in mental health for young people in New South Wales.” This report outlines five broad strategies for progressing prevention and early intervention in mental health for young people: 1) developing and coordinating comprehensive programs and services; 2) engaging young people and their families and providing comprehensive assessment and management; 3) developing and implementing prevention programs; 4) educating the community, particularly on depression and related disorders and first onset psychosis in young people; and 5) monitoring quality and effectiveness.

PDF icon Getting in Early: A framework for early intervention and prevention in mental health for young people in New South Wales

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care published a comprehensive document, “Program Policy Framework for Early Intervention in Psychosis,” that establishes Ontario’s policy framework, identifying seven key components of early intervention: facilitating access and early intervention, comprehensive assessment, treatment, psychosocial supports, family education and support, research, and public education.

PDF icon Program Policy Framework for Early Intervention in Psychosis