Did you know that 3 out of every 100 young people will experience a psychotic episode making psychosis more common than diabetes?  Did you know that a first episode of psychosis most often occurs during the late teens to early twenties?  Did you know that the duration of untreated psychosis in the United States is 1-2 years?

All of this means that there are young people in every high school, on every college campus, in every community struggling with the early symptoms of psychotic illness. 

These symptoms can include: 

• Worrisome drop in grades or job performance

• New trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Suspiciousness/uneasiness with others
• Decline in self-care or personal hygiene
• Spending a lot more time alone than usual
• Increased sensitivity to sights or sounds
• Mistaking noises for voices
• Unusual or overly intense new ideas
• Strange new feelings or having no feelings at all

                                                                -www.nami.org

If left untreated, the experience of psychosis can lead to significant losses in all domains of life: social, emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, educational, vocational.  Early intervention can prevent or halt these losses and help young people get back on track.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of psychosis, give us a call--we are here to help.

ETCH (Early Treatment and Cognitive Health) provides specialized supports to individuals at risk of or actively experiencing symptoms of psychosis. Services are holistic and include medication management, individual and group therapy, family services, vocational and educational support, peer support and community outreach.

ETCH clinicians are the only certified trainers and clinicians in the state of Michigan for this nationally recognized early intervention model (called NAVIGATE) which includes:

• Individual resiliency training (IRT)
• Family education and support (FE)
• Supported education and employment (SEE)
• Individualized medication management

All aspects of care include a shared decision making approach, a strengths and resiliency focus, emphasis on effective symptom management skills and/or sustained remission of symptoms and an overall orientation toward recovery.

Early intervention services are available for individuals 
ages 15-30 who have been having symptoms for 18 months or less.

For more information regarding the NAVIGATE intervention, visit: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/