Service : Early Intervention in Psychosis and Mania Service for children and young people

We're known as the Intervention in Psychosis and Mania team, or EIP.

We can help if you're a young person (under 18) living with psychosis or mania, or showing early signs of developing psychosis.

Psychosis can describe a range of experiences. You may be:

• seeing or hearing things that aren't there
• feeling very worried or scared
• having trouble thinking clearly

We can help if you have any of these symptoms, and they’re making everyday life difficult or upsetting.

You can refer yourself to our service using our online form. You can also ask a family member or your doctor.

We’ll call you to talk about your referral. If we can’t reach you by phone, we’ll send you a text, email, or letter.

We’ll then arrange a face-to-face appointment within 14 days. You can choose to meet at home or at a local place.

• Use our online form to make a referral: Make a referral

Suspected psychosis

You may be able to get help from our team if you are:   

• seeing or hearing things that others don’t (hallucinations), and it’s upsetting you
• finding it hard to do things at school, home, or with friends
• having unusual thoughts that are making it harder for you to learn at school or get along with others
• feeling confused or having trouble concentrating

At risk of developing psychosis

You may be able to get help from our team if you:

• are feeling distressed
• are avoiding things you used to enjoy, like seeing friends, for at least a month
• are experiencing mild but upsetting psychotic thoughts or feelings
• have had brief but unusual psychotic feelings that went away on their own
• have a close family member (like a parent or sibling) who has had psychosis

Suspected mania or bipolar

You may be able to get help from our team if you are:

• seeing or hearing things that others don’t (hallucinations), and it’s upsetting you
• having strong mood changes which cause behaviour that is not normal for you
• feeling very anxious or having trouble sleeping

Your assessment appointment may take one to two hours. You can bring a family member or carer with you for support.

You don’t need to bring anything, but it can help to have a list of your medicines.

You may also be seen by another service.

After your appointment, you will either be offered support from us for up to three years, or until you turn 18.

We may send you some questionnaires before or during the assessment. Please fill these in as they help us understand what's going on.

We can help guide you to another service if we think they are better suited to your needs.

Support from our team

We'll assign a named worker from our team.

Our team includes a range of professionals with different skills. 

• Psychiatrists can discuss medication for mental health support.
• Psychologists can talk with you about mental health conditions.
• Pharmacists can talk with you about medication.
• Mental health nurses can help you through recovery and improve your wellbeing.
• Social workers can help you with different social problems caused or made worse by your mental health.
• Employment and education specialists can work with your teacher or employer to help you get reasonable adjustments.
• Child and family workers can give advice on changes in your home.

Treatment

We may offer:

• cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• family intervention
• carers support and education
• employment support
• medication and physical health screening and support

Likemind

Helpful information and videos created by and for people who use early intervention services for psychosis.

• Visit the Likemind website

Relatives Education And Coping Toolkit (REACT)

Online resources for relatives and friends of people with mental health problems associated with psychosis or bipolar disorder.

• Visit the REACT website

Mind

A mental health charity that provides information, support, and advice to people with mental health problems.

• Visit the Mind website