At Risk Mental State
Intervening in At Risk Mental State Phase
When you suspect someone is in the 'at risk' phase of illness, then it is important to follow this up. For more information on where the At risk phase of psychosis sits in the potential course of an emerging psychotic illlness, see Phases of Psychosis.
Possibilities include:
- Referral to specific service for assessment
- Keeping in regular contact and monitoring
- Treating current issues/problems and teaching stress management techniques
- Helping with developmentally appropriate issues
- Psychoeducation about stress and drug use (if applicable) and mental state in general
Using the stress-vulnerability model, it is hoped that with timely intervention to reduce additional stress and capacity development to deal with life stressors, the risk someone has to develop a psychosis will be reduced or prevented.
OYH have developed a training package to guide people how to use the formal assessment for whether someone is presenting with an At Risk Mental State called "Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental State" (CAARMS). The training package includes DVD and work booklet, taking the viewer through 4 different presentations and their assessment using the CAARMS. If you are interested in purchasing the CAARMS Training Pack please click here for OYH Resources.
It is not always necessary or advisable to tell the young person you are worried they might be at risk of developing a psychosis but certainly being upfront with the young person that the problems they are facing could worsen can be a way of engaging the young person in therapy/treatment and maintaining a working relationship.
If you are working in a non-clinical setting, whilst monitoring and engaging a young person, it is advisable to seek specific consultation from a mental health service so that you can be confident of providing the best most timely intervention.
Click here for Phases of Psychosis.