Mindmap: Early Psychosis Detection, Treatment Collabs With Southern

From Southern Connecticut State University:

NEW HAVEN, CT —With back-to-school in full swing, Mindmap – a public awareness campaign that promotes the early detection and treatment of psychosis – is collaborating with universities and colleges statewide to raise awareness of signs and symptoms in teens and young adults. The initiative provides a confidential referral phone line at 203-200-0140 for individuals aged 16 to 35 who may be experiencing psychosis, a collection of symptoms indicating the onset of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Hosted by the Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) Learning Collaborative, with support from the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), Mindmap’s referral line is secure and all calls are confidential. After leaving their contact information and other basics, all callers can expect a call back shortly from an Early Detection Assessment Coordinator (EDAC), who will screen them for symptoms of psychosis over one or more phone conversations, and connect those who need care to a Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA). Thirteen LMHAs comprise a statewide network of mental health providers operated and/or funded by DMHAS set to accept every individual who qualifies, shortening the pathway to care.

“For college students, mental health is key to their academic success and personal growth. University life brings unique challenges, like academic pressure and social changes, especially for those students transitioning to college for the first time,” says Dr. Nick Pinkerton, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and the Director of Counseling Services at Southern Connecticut State University. “A resource like Mindmap that focuses on early intervention allows us to facilitate high-quality care to students quickly. It removes barriers to getting students the treatment that they need.”

Josina James, LCSW, Director of Social Work for the STEP Learning Collaborative, notes, “The first few years after psychosis onset are a critical period when quick access to quality care can make a transformative positive impact in reducing suffering, disability and premature death from suicide. The earlier someone with psychosis gets help, the better chance of recovery and living a fulfilling life. In fact, with early treatment and support, recovery in psychosis is actually the EXPECTATION, not the exception.”
The Mindmap campaign empowers anyone who interacts with young people regularly, whether family members, educators, college counselors, law enforcement or others in similar positions. By learning the signs of psychosis, they can help guide individuals to care.
What are some of the signs/symptoms of psychosis?

• Seeing things that others don’t
• Hearing things that others don’t
• Feeling extremely fearful, often to the point of suspicion or paranoia
• Belief that one has special powers or abilities
• Confused thinking or speech (fast-paced, slow-paced, or jumbled)
• Sudden withdrawal from friends and family
• Assigning a special meaning to random occurrences
• Extreme behaviors in response to these things, seem very real to the person affected, but not to others

More on Mindmap
Over a four-year period (2015-2019), Mindmap decreased the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) by half throughout Greater New Haven’s 10-town radius. The current Mindmap campaign is a refreshed version and brings awareness statewide across Connecticut. For more information, visit www.mindmapct.org