# Early Intervention – Importance of Acting Early in controlling symptoms and improving outcomes

Early Care
Detect

- Intervening Early in Psychosis
- “The earlier, the better.” Recognising and treating medical conditions early makes sense. This is as true for mental health conditions as it is for physical illnesses. Many early intervention services for psychosis have been developed internationally. The World Health Organisation suggests that in mental health "Early intervention is fundamental in preventing progress towards a full-blown disease, in controlling symptoms and improving outcomes".
- Ireland's first early intervention for psychosis service, DETECT, operates in South County Dublin and Wicklow. It is hoped that in time more early intervention services will develop in Ireland.
- The first step of the model, recognising psychosis early, is vital to improving outcomes. By carrying out public education and setting up early intervention teams, treatment delays have been reduced by more than 50% in a number of countries.
- The first 3 - 5 years after the onset of psychosis is known as the "critical period" as this may be the most important time in a person's recovery. The objective of treatment during this time is maximised recovery. Recovery can be broken into (a) the remission of symptoms and (b) returning to participation in everyday life in areas like work and leisure. Interventions that maximise recovery include psychological, occupational and family programs. DETECT provides these treatments to people who attend its service.

Early Care
Detect