Early intervention teams: services for early psychosis

• Early intervention services work with you if you are between 14 and 35 years old, and experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
• Psychosis is a term used if you experience a break with reality. This can include having unusual beliefs or seeing or hearing things that other people do not.
• If you have psychosis and do not get help for a long time, you may have more episodes of psychosis in the future.
• Early intervention services have been set up so people can get help sooner and try to prevent these problems.
• An early intervention team will be made up of staff such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, community psychiatric nurses, social workers and support workers.
• Your GP can refer you to your local early intervention team. In some areas, you may be able to refer yourself or your friends or family could refer you.

These pages are created by Rethink Mental Illness' Advice and Information Service in accordance with the Information Standard. Last reviewed in January 2013. Next review January 2015.