Less than half of the more than 250 adolescents and young adults who are estimated to experience a first episode of psychosis in the city of Santa Cruz each year are ever diagnosed and receive treatment.

Of those patients who are eventually diagnosed, the average duration of their symptoms of psychosis prior to receiving treatment is estimated to be over 2 years.

Multiple psychosocial variables, such as the reaction of patients and their families to symptoms of psychosis, which play a vital role in determining long-term outcomes, demonstrate their highest degree of flexibility during the period of early psychosis. Psychological, social and evidence-based pharmacological interventions undertaken during this time frame can have a profound impact on the life-course of an individual with psychosis.

We propose to establish a pilot early psychosis intervention program that will provide age appropriate biopsychosocial treatment and support for 15–25 years old with first episode psychosis and their families in Santa Cruz. This will improve short and long-term outcomes for those with psychosis, increase speed of recovery, decrease the need for hospitalization, reduce family disruption and decrease rates of relapse.

By utilizing a mobile, multidisciplinary treatment team that emphasizes the roles of trained case managers focused on providing intensive individual and family support in the home, this program will provide culturally appropriate care that will leverage contributions from a limited supply of psychiatrists and shift dependence away from a fragmented medical system.