Resources

EPPIC has a range of fact sheets about psychosis that are free to download.

There are also two free manuals to download as PDFs: The Early Diagnosis and Management of Psychosis: A Booklet for General Practitioners, and Cognitively Oriented Psychotherapy for First Episode Psychosis COPE.  Go here to get your FREE copies.

There are also manuals, videos, DVDs, and books regarding interventions for early psychosis, which can be ordered through the Orygen Youth Health website.

Some of these resources are designed for use by young people and the community, while others are specifically for use by mental health professionals.

These resources include:

Early psychosis guidelines

Australian Clinical Guidelines for Early Psychosis: Second Edition

In the decade since the first edition of the Australian Clinical Guidelines for Early Psychosis new clinical research has strengthened the evidence base for interventions, as well as raising new issues to explore.

This new edition of the guidelines, based on the first but appropriately reflecting these developments, provides an overview of the most up-to-date clinical research in early psychosis which outlines best practice principles in the provision of services to young people experiencing the early stages of a psychotic disorder. The updated edition also includes guidelines for identifying and treating (where appropriate) those young people who may be at ‘ultra’ high risk of developing psychosis, within the broader context of the clinical staging model.

The format of the guidelines follows the course of service engagement; that is from access to assessment and treatment. Some of the guidelines are specific to phase of illness and these are presented first. The scope of these phase-specific guidelines includes the group identified as at risk of psychosis, through to the acute, early recovery, relapse, and late/problematic recovery and discharge phases.

This guideline is free for Victorian public mental health professionals.

Go here to order or purchase a copy

Early psychosis manuals

Cognitive-behavioral case management: a handbook

This Handbook is a practical guide to implementing cognitive-behavioural case management (CBCM) for young people with early psychosis. It is based on a theoretical framework that continues to grow in strength: the evidence base for intervention in early psychosis is now firmly established, following a concerted effort by clinician-researchers worldwide to improve standards of care in this critical phase of illness. The Handbook describes 'how' to deliver CBCM.
Sources of more detailed information on 'why' interventions are likely to be effective, and additional information on some specific systems and techniques of CBCM, are listed throughout the Handbook as 'Further reading'.

The focus of the Handbook is young people with early psychosis, many of whom may ultimately be diagnosed as having a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. However, the underlying principles of management are equally applicable to young people with a pre-psychotic at-risk mental state, a brief psychotic disorder, or an affective psychosis.

Table of Contents

A: Theory & background

Introduction to early psychosis
Features of first episode psychosis
Overview of cognitive-behavioural case management

B: Cognitive-behavioural case management in practice

Entry to care
Recovery phase
Addressing comorbid disorders
Building resilience, preventing relapse
Discharge from case management

Go here to purchase a copy.

The acute phase of early psychosis: a handbook on management. 

This handbook is an introduction to the principles and practice of managing the acute stage of early psychosis that precedes early recovery.

Go here to purchase a copy.

Case Management in Early Psychosis: A handbook.

 This manual provides an introduction to the principles and practice of case management in early psychosis.

Go here to purchase a copy.

The CAARMS Training DVD and manual.
This complete package includes instructional DVD and supporting workbook. The user will learn how to assess for ‘at risk mental state’ using the CAARMS via case scenario interviews and self assessment practice vignettes. 

Go here to purchase a copy.

ACE Manual: Active Cognitive Therapy for Early Psychosis.

The Active Cognitive Therapy for Early Psychosis (ACE) Manual (in CD format) describes a formulation based cognitive behavioural approach to working therapeutically with people experiencing a first episode of psychosis.

Go here to purchase a copy.

Early psychosis Videos, DVDs  & CDs

These videos and DVDs are for young people, family and friends, and health professionals, and cover areas such as recognising early signs, substance use, and recovery.

They include:

Pause - Relaxation CD

This CD of relaxation exercises has been created by Orygen Youth Health to help young people relax during difficult times.

Get On Top: recognising young people’s mental health problems and getting help early. 

This DVD is designed for young people and those close to them, to assist in recognising the early signs and symptoms of mental health problems, and explores options for seeking help.

Go here to purchase a copy.

Where There's Hope: family experiences of living with mental illness.
This DVD follows the stories of 3 families as they journey from awareness that ‘something isn’t quite right’, to diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, to the realisation that with appropriate support and knowledge there is a hopeful future. A special price is available for this item for families, carers, and young people.