Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services provide community-based treatment and support to people during their first episode of psychosis.
Our policy briefing based on recent research from a major study finds that EIP services that offer the full range of interventions recommended in current clinical guidance provide a better experience for people experiencing psychosis for the first time. These interventions include case management with a ‘care coordinator’, physical health assessments and carer support. The research, conducted through the EXTEND study, finds that having access to a broad support offer produces better outcomes for people in the longer term. Supporting people through the transition to community mental health teams or general practice at the end of their time using EIP is also crucial to help people to move on successfully.
The research also finds that people from racialised communities have worse outcomes from EIP services. This reflects deeply entrenched racial inequities in both society and the NHS.
The briefing recommends that the Modern Service Framework for severe mental illness, which the Government is currently developing, should set out clear expectations that EIP services must offer the full range of interventions, including talking therapy, employment support, and family and carer support.
The Government must also ensure that the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework is sustained to help improve outcomes for racialised communities from EIP and other mental health services.
Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Early Intervention in Psychosis is a vital part of the mental health system. It provides support at a crucial time in a person’s life. The research produced by EXTEND is a reminder that EIP must be high quality to meet people’s needs effectively. And like all mental health services, EIP must address racism and racial inequity to offer the best possible support to everyone who needs it.”
Carolyn Chew-Graham, Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, who led the qualitative research, said: “We interviewed service users and carers who described the very helpful support they received whilst under EIP services, which stopped on discharge, particularly to primary care. Our Lived Experience Group emphasised that further work is needed to smooth this transition.”
