Common Experience versus Intended Result of Early Psychosis Intervention Common Experience Without EASA Intended Result of EASA Community lacks awareness. Community is aware and prepared. There is a general lack of knowledge about Community members receive basic information psychosis. about psychosis and how to get help. Many people have negative assumptions about Places where families turn first are prioritized outcomes. for outreach: doctors, schools, etc. Families don’t know where to turn. It is often difficult to get help. It is easy to get help. Symptoms create barriers (paranoia, delusions, People can call the team directly. etc.). Prompt outreach by trained professionals to There are many mental health system barriers individuals and families. (expectations that the person is seeking help; Regulations, policies and procedures support eligibility restrictions, unwillingness to talk to flexible outreach for psychosis. families, restrictions on outreach). Long delays (1 year or more) are common. Families of adults are often ignored by Families are active partners. professionals. Communication occurs within 24 hours of Family communication is often an referral, then ongoing. afterthought. Counselors focus on family as well as Families receive little information or support. individual needs. Families suffer from trauma, grief and Families receive extensive education. overwhelming responsibility. Support groups, conferences and informal networking events offered. Risk assessment limited to Risk assessment is comprehensive and “imminent threat” of danger. proactive. Involuntary commitment standards often Psychosis is always viewed as high risk . determine whether a person gets help. Assessment looks at a range of risk factors (delusional beliefs, impulsiveness, access to vehicles or weapons, family support, etc.). Crisis plans are developed. There is little attempt to support the Developmental progress is a primary focus of person’s normal developmental progress. assessment and support Emphasis is on symptoms, medicine, and Emphasis is on mastery of symptoms, personal stabilization. goals and developmental needs. Negative assumptions about schizophrenia Positive, realistic assumptions predominate. schizophrenia predominate. Professionals are quick to assume and Emphasis is on successful ongoing management communicate that the person will be unable to of symptoms and movement toward personal live a normal life. goals. Professionals communicate the expectation that with an active recovery process the person can have a fulfilling life.
Common Experience versus Intended Result of Early Psychosis Intervention Common Experience Without EASA Intended Result of EASA Community lacks awareness. There is a general lack of knowledge about psychosis. Many people have negative assumptions about outcomes. Families don’t know where to turn. Community is aware and prepared. Community members receive basic information about psychosis and how to get help. Places where families turn first are prioritized for outreach: doctors, schools, etc. It is often difficult to get help. Symptoms create barriers (paranoia, delusions, etc.). There are many mental health system barriers (expectations that the person is seeking help; eligibility restrictions, unwillingness to talk to families, restrictions on outreach). Long delays (1 year or more) are common. It is easy to get help. People can call the team directly. Prompt outreach by trained professionals to individuals and families. Regulations, policies and procedures support flexible outreach for psychosis. Families of adults are often ignored by professionals. Family communication is often an afterthought. Families receive little information or support. Families suffer from trauma, grief and overwhelming responsibility. Families are active partners. Communication occurs within 24 hours of referral, then ongoing. Counselors focus on family as well as individual needs. Families receive extensive education. Support groups, conferences and informal networking events offered. Risk assessment limited to “imminent threat” of danger. Involuntary commitment standards often determine whether a person gets help. Risk assessment is comprehensive and proactive. Psychosis is always viewed as high risk . Assessment looks at a range of risk factors (delusional beliefs, impulsiveness, access to vehicles or weapons, family support, etc.). Crisis plans are developed. There is little attempt to support the person’s normal developmental progress. Emphasis is on symptoms, medicine, and stabilization. Developmental progress is a primary focus of assessment and support Emphasis is on mastery of symptoms, personal goals and developmental needs. Negative assumptions about schizophrenia predominate. Professionals are quick to assume and communicate that the person will be unable to live a normal life. Positive, realistic assumptions schizophrenia predominate. Emphasis is on successful ongoing management of symptoms and movement toward personal goals. Professionals communicate the expectation that with an active recovery process the person can have a fulfilling life.
commonexperienceversusintendedresult-mrr.docx