About psychosis

“Psychosis” describes conditions that affect the mind when there has been some loss of contact with reality. Psychosis can include hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and disordered thoughts and speech, and can affect people from all walks of life.

• Psychosis often begins when a person is in his or her late teens to mid-twenties.
• Psychosis can be a symptom of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, or result from the use of medications, alcohol or drugs.
• Three out of 100 people will experience psychosis at some time in their lives, and about 100,000 adolescents and young adults in the US experience first episode psychosis each year.

Questions?

First Episode Psychosis policy lead
651-431-2225

DHS.FEP@state.mn.us

Early treatment is critical

Reducing the time it takes for a person experiencing psychosis to get treatment is important because early treatment often means an increased likelihood of a successful recovery. Yet, studies have shown that it is common for a person to have psychotic symptoms for more than a year before receiving treatment.

History

In 2008, the National Institute of Mental Health launched the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia

Episode (RAISE) study. RAISE examined different aspects of treatment for people who were experiencing their first episode psychosis. The RAISE study showed that getting services and supports early can reduce the effects of the first episode of psychosis, positively affect a person’s overall outcomes, and increase functioning related to employment and education.

As a result, in 2014 U.S. Congress required all 50 states to set aside 5 percent of their Federal Mental Health Block Grant to support those persons with early serious mental illness, including psychotic disorders and first episode psychosis. This set aside amount has been increased and is currently at 10 percent. For more on the National Institutes of Mental Health website.

Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE)