Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Students with Mental Illness Targeted for Early Treatment

Mental health: Students targeted for early treatment - Straits Times, Singapore
This is a good story from Singapore about how they are targeting students for early treatment of mental illness - which is an extremely well-informed decision; the earlier that schizophrenia is treated (research suggests) the better the outcome for the person and the lower the costs for society. One of those rare "Win/Win" scenarios.

The story states that "CAMPUS counsellors are quietly seeking out students who imagine they are hearing voices, to assess whether they are becoming psychotic or have other mental health problems.

Since the year began, counsellors at the National University of Singapore have been trying to identify early on students who may be psychotic, so that they can get help and get well.

People with psychosis suffer from hallucinations and could develop schizophrenia.

Head of the Institute of Mental Health's (IMH) early psychosis intervention programme Chong Siow Ann said: 'Students may have reservations about going to see psychiatrists. So we go to identify the students.'

'A handful' have already been identified on campus. Those who need treatment are referred to the institute.

University students were targeted as psychosis tends to strike in the early 20s.

Since the early intervention plan began in 2001, it has identified 569 patients."