1. EARLY INTERVENTION:
CHANGING LIVES,
SAVING LIVES
Early detection of mental illness
makes a difference!

2. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT
MENTAL ILLNESS
MYTH
Teenagers don’t suffer from “real” mental illnesses;
they are just moody.
FACT
One in ten children and adolescents suffer from
mental illness.
Most severe mental illnesses start
in the teenage years.

3. MYTHS/FACTS ABOUT
MENTAL ILLNESS
MYTH
Mental illnesses cannot be treated.
FACT
Mental illnesses are diagnosed in the
same way as asthma, diabetes, and cancer.
Treatments are effective 60-80% of the
time, success rates that exceed cutting
edge treatment for heart disease.

4. Adolescence is not just
confusing, it’s difficult
and stressful.

5. WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS?
Any of a number of symptoms indicating
loss of contact with reality, including:
• Hallucinations
• Hearing voices or seeing visions
• Delusions
• False beliefs or marked suspicions of others
• Disorganized thinking
• Jumbled thoughts, difficulty concentrating

6. PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOSIS
OFTEN EXPERIENCE:
• Social withdrawal
• Odd, unusual behavior
• Decreased motivation
• An inability to enjoy activities
• Mood swings
• Pervasive anxiety
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Changes in appetite and eating
• Preoccupation with physical symptoms

7. THERE IS HOPE WITH
EARLY DETECTION
Early Intervention is associated with:
• More rapid and complete recovery
• Preservation of brain functioning
• Preservation of psychosocial skills
• Decreased need for intensive services
• Preservation of supports

8. EARLY WARNING
SIGNS

9. WHAT ARE THE EARLY
WARNING SIGNS?
• Jumbled thoughts or confusion
• Being fearful for no good reason
• Having unusual perceptual
experiences and/or hearing
sounds/voices that are not there
• Trouble speaking clearly
• Feeling “something’s not quite right”
• Significant social withdrawal and loss
of interest in others
• A marked drop in functioning
especially at school or work
• Uncharacteristic, peculiar behaviors
• Increasing difficulty with concentration
or with keeping thinking on target

10. HOW CAN I TELL WHETHER IT’S
STRESS
OR THE START OF A MENTAL ILLNESS?
Duration of symptoms
Intensity of symptoms
Degree of disruption
Clustering of symptoms
Genetic risk

11. REMEMBER: REACTIONS, SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS ARE A SPECTRUM
Look for intensity and frequency
Normal
Stress
Reactions
Early
Warning
Signs
Mental
Illness
Symptoms

12. TEENAGERS & STRESS:
WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE IN NORMAL STRESS REACTION
Emotional/Physical Responses
Sadness (tearfulness)
Anger (irritability)
Anxiety and fear
Mild mood swings
Fatigue
Complaints of aches and pains
Behavioral Responses
Attempts to cope or “fix” the problem
Avoidance
Denial
Withdrawal from friends
Increase or decrease in activity
Use of substances

13. PSYCHOSIS OCCURS ON A
SPECTRUM
GRANDIOSITY
SUSPICIOUSNESS
AUDITORY
HALLUCINATIONS
Young person enjoys basketball
and expects to attend college
on a full scholarship
Young person is heading to Los
Angeles because he believes he is
talented enough to join the Lakers
Young woman goes to the mall
and feels like people are
looking at her
She refuses to go to the mall
because she is certain that a
specific person is out to harm her
Hearing indistinct
buzzing or whispering
Hearing a voice clearly outside your
head saying, “You’re a loser” or
“You’re a failure.”

14. DIAGNOSTIC UNCERTAINTY IS NORMAL
IN EARLY INTERVENTION
Observing symptoms over time can provide diagnostic information.
Family history offers important clues.
Labeling prematurely can be misleading and damaging.

15. THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS NEED
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION:
• Suicidal acts, writing, statements
• Hearing voices no one else can hear
• Seeing visions no one else can see
• Dramatic change in sleep or self-care
• Unfounded fears others are plotting harm
• Believe they posses special powers
• Garbled speech or writing

16. WHAT TO DO

17. LEARN MORE & BE AN ADVOCATE
FOR YOUR OWN BEST CARE
There are a lot of organizations that offer helpful
information and resources on early intervention.
• PIER Training Institute
• http://www.piertraining.com/
• Cognitive Assessment and Risk Evaluation (CARE) program
http://ucsdcareprogram.com/
• Center for Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States
http://www.capps.ucla.edu/
More links and organizations can be found at
www.telecarecorp.com/earlyintervention

18. BE AWARE & BE OPEN
Be the ‘eyes and ears’ of early intervention: know the signs
Be willing to talk openly about what’s going on.
Be gentle and welcoming as these can be scary topics to discuss.

19. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
RESOURCES
Contact your local county mental health or behavioral health
department to see if there is an early intervention
program in your area.
Contact your local NAMI office or the national NAMI helpline:
The Information HelpLine is an information and referral service which can be
reached by calling 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10
a.m.- 6 p.m., EST. Business callers, including those seeking particular NAMI
staff members, should call 1 (703) 524-7600.
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/Helpline/NAMI_Information_HelpLine.htm

20. ADVOCATE FOR MORE EARLY
INTERVENTION SERVICES
If you feel strongly about the potential of early intervention services,
please join the conversation.
Join and participate in mental health advocacy organizations like
NAMI and Mental Health America
Reach out to your local legislators and talk about the
importance of early intervention
Be aware of changes in the mental health industry and mental health
legislation and push for resources you feel will help your local communities