YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT SERVICES

Early Intervention & First-Episode Psychosis

MindStrong is a multistep care program that uses a multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approach to identify and treat young people at risk for serious mental health challenges or emerging psychosis symptoms. Early assessment and services are key in the return of young people to a healthy and fulfilling life.

For intake, reach out to us at 773.432.6555 or YoungAdult@thresholds.org.

MindStrong Early Intervention is a comprehensive program for young people at risk of developing serious mental health challenges. The Early Intervention team works with 13 – 25 year-olds to provide therapy across a multistep care model, tailoring supports to each individual.  Through partnerships with the Chicago Early Intervention Network at Northwestern University and Rush Medical School, and many others, Thresholds provides innovative services to help young people and their families understand symptoms and receive the best-fit treatment at the earliest stage. 

MindStrong First Episode is designed for 14 – 40 year-olds who have experienced symptoms of psychosis for the first time within the last 18 months. The First Episode Program utilizes the state-of-the-art Coordinated Specialty Care model, and is part of the network of providers across Illinois. Learn more about the MindStrong approach below, educate yourself about the signs of psychosis and check out our training and research initiatives to see why early intervention is so important. The MindStrong Programs are located on the North side of Chicago and in Westmont, IL.

Check our list of trainings, symposia, research studies, and publications, and our Youth and Young Adult Research site. We also encourage you to utilize these additional resources to learn more about early intervention:

• SAMHSA’s Supporting Students Experiencing Early Psychosis in Middle School & High School

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MindStrong Early Intervention 

Mindstrong Early Intervention aims to:

• Significantly improve the lives of young people who may be at risk for developing serious mental health conditions
• Educate the community about warning signs for those at risk.
• Identify those who are considered to be at high risk.
• Provide targeted interventions for young people and their families across multiple life domains
• Decrease the chances for long-term mental health needs and associated costs

Take this survey to see if you or someone you know is a good fit for MindStrong Early Intervention Services . Most young people who show signs of mental health challenges will not develop a serious mental health condition. Early intervention can help prevent struggles and enable a young person to have a full and satisfying life. The sooner signs are recognized and a young person gets help, the better! MindStrong Early Intervention is a Stepped Care Model for assessing and addressing emerging mental health needs. This means that we use the latest scientific screening tools to match young people with appropriate services.

The sooner signs are recognized and a young person gets help, the better!

MindStrong Early Intervention is a Stepped Care Model for assessing and addressing emerging mental health needs. This means that we use the latest scientific screening tools to match young people with appropriate services.

Step	Care Approach
Step 1: Latent Risk	Education and community outreach Goal is to increase awareness of signs of early mental health
Step 2: At-Risk	Some risk identified (e.g., relative with serious mental health condition or attenuated symptoms), but no distress Screening, monitoring and education
Step 3: High Risk	Assessment, identification of symptoms and distress
Step 4: First Episode	MindStrong Early Intervention Services and MindStrong First Episode Psychosis Services, which are intensive tailored, and multidisciplinary

 

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MindStrong First Episode: Signs of Risk for Psychosis

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MindStrong Services

MindStrong partners with young people and families through a multidisciplinary team-based approach that integrates key elements from the most respected and scientifically validated early intervention practices. We utilize strategies that not only have the strongest evidence base, but are creative and fun approaches to achieve goals. Instead of focusing solely on treating symptoms, we focus on addressing the impacts of symptoms on school, work, relationships, independence, & identity development. We’re working to teach young people, families, and greater Chicagoland how to recognize early signs of serious mental health challenges.

What you can expect from MindStrong services:

Rapid assessment and individualized care planning: We work with you to develop a shared understanding of the difficulties you or your family member is having, and then we make a plan together based on your specific situation, needs and desires.

Individual therapy and coaching: Individual support and guidance can help you to make sense of the experience you are having, and can help you learn how to manage symptoms, anticipate future difficulties, and to plan ahead for those situations. In addition, we will help you to build on your own strengths and abilities and to move toward the future you envision for yourself.

Family education and multi-family groups: Many family members are confused and unsure what to do when a loved one develops concerning symptoms. We provide information to help you understand what is happening for your young family member, and to give you some guidance about how you can support him or her, and maintain your family equilibrium. Some families find the support of other families who are going through similar experiences to be invaluable; families learn together how to solve common problems faced by those struggling with mental health issues in the family.

Supported employment and supported education: Sudden mental health challenges can cause a disruption in education and/or employment. The quicker you can get back on track with school and/or work, the less likely this disruption derails your future plans– and the better it is for your mental health. Our specialists provide support in and out of the office to help you succeed with your education and employment goals.

Medication education and monitoring: Our psychiatrist is knowledgeable about the most up-to-date research in use of medication for early mental health symptoms and early psychosis, and will help you and your family to understand your choices and to make informed decisions about medication. We take a “start low and go slow” approach, where we start at low doses of medication first, for those who could benefit from medication.

Peer support: It can be helpful for a young person who is experiencing early mental health symptoms for the first time to receive support from someone who has first-hand experience, and to find that you are not alone! We provide opportunities for you to connect with peers who have experienced and overcome similar challenges.

Care coordination: It is common for people and their families to feel overwhelmed and without a clear direction. We help you weave your services together in a way that clears a path toward your individual goals.

LOOKING FOR SERVICES?
Don’t wait! The sooner action is taken for people experiencing emerging signs of serious mental illnesses, the better the outcomes. Contact the Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services at 773.432.6555 or YoungAdult@thresholds.org.

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MindStrong Training and Research

Training and Technical Assistance

MindStrong provides educational workshops to community providers, employers, schools, parent/youth groups, and many others.

Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services Leadership also provides individualized training and consultation to providers and systems nationwide. To learn more, check out our Provider Training and Consultation page or contact Marc Fagan, Psy.D.

Research and Evaluation

Driving principles for our Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services include:

• Our programs and services are evidence-informed by the latest scientific findings
• We conduct rigorous program evaluation across all of our programs
• We partner with experts to conduct research to inform practice and policy on a local, state, and federal level.

MindStrong First Episode Psychosis Resources

MindStrong First Episode is an evidence-based Coordinated Specialty Care approach. MindStrong’s design is based on the following Coordinated Specialty Care programs:

• NAVIGATE & OnTrackNY: Developed in the National Institute of Mental Health RAISE initiative
• PIER: Widely adopted & evaluated in the Robert Wood Johnson EDIPP initiative
• PREP: California’s successful adaptation of PIER
• EASA: Recognized as an innovative leader in practice & system change in Oregon

Thresholds was selected to participate in the following national learning communities and workgroups:

• National Council for Behavioral Health Early Onset Schizophrenia Community of Practice in 2014
• NTTAC Early Psychosis Learning Collaborative in 2016
• Harmonizing Clinical Data Collection in Community-Based Treatment Programs for First-Episode Psychosis Work Group in 2017

MindStrong Early Intervention Resources:

• NASMPHD Early Intervention in Psychosis Virtual Resource Center
• Orygen and Headspace: Australia’s early intervention efforts
• Connecticut’s STEP program
• PEPPNet: National Steering Committee and Listserv for resources
• Chicago Early Intervention Network
• NIMH Stepped Care Model