Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Canada Targets Early Psychosis

Early Psychosis/Schizophrenia Diagnosis Program Expanded to include doctor's offices and schools

While the Early Psychosis Intervention program in British Columbia, Canada is one of the world's leading efforts in this area and has been an important effort at increasing public awareness of early treatment for psychosis - it sounds like the program has recently been expanded significantly. A public campaign has been launched in schools and doctors' offices to warn parents about the symptoms of teenage psychosis.

Officials at the Vancouver Coastal Authority say they're worried that some parents may overlook signs of teenage mental illness by writing it off as "teen angst" or "acting out." (see their web site at http://www.hopevancouver.com/

Congratulations to all the people involved with this project. This is a model for efforts that should be expanded around the world.

The organization also has had regular advertisements on local TV programs and Radio on the identification of early psychosis.

Given the extreme importance of identification and treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as early as possible to minimize impact of the disease, these are important efforts at minimizing the harm of the disease, especially in British Columbia where cannabis/marijuana use is so common.

More Information:

Psychosis Sucks web site

Schizophrenia Society of British Columbia

Hope Vancouver web site

Raising Psychosis Awareness on Campus - "Posters" Story