Early or first-episode psychosis can be a first sign of serious mental illness such as schizophrenia. Acting quickly to connect a person with the right treatment at this early stage can be life changing and prevent many of the long-term impacts experienced by people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.
A new, $5.6 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health will address this need in Texas by creating EPINET-TX, a network of coordinated specialty care programs for early psychosis operating in public mental health centers across the state. The Steve Hicks School of Social Work’s Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health will serve as the network’s hub, in partnerships with researchers at Dell Medicine, Southern Methodist University, and Thresholds, Inc.
“Through EPINET-TX we will be able to create new knowledge to make a positive impact in the delivery of services and reduce the burden of psychosis on young Texans and their families,” institute director Molly Lopez said. “We are fortunate we’re able to partner with 16 community mental health centers and the Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission to implement this project.”