Oral

The history of early identification of serious mental illness and how early identification relates to the possibility of prevention will be discussed. Psychological and emotional difficulties are like other medical problems; early signs and symptoms occur before serious illnesses develops. The sooner psychological problems are identified and treated, the less likely they are to disrupt a person's ability to study, work, make friends and be with others. The speakers will present new information about the ability to predict the onset of schizophrenia psychosis within the next year using clinical methods. A first hand consumer perspective on the prodrome and first break of psychosis and insight about current treatments will be offered. The state of the treatment research in prodromal and first episode psychosis will be reviewed. Ethical implications of making a prodromal diagnosis will be discussed. An overview of a large-scale NIMH research project to intervene early and aggressively in schizophrenia will be presented by one of the project leaders.

Session Objectives: •Identify behaviors of concern and early warning signs of serious mental illness in adolescents and young adults •Describe the research supporting early intervention in serious mental illness both here and abroad •Discuss the importance and ethical implications of the early identification and treatment of serious mental illness •Describe new national research initiative for early intervention in schizophrenia •Define evidence based early identification and intervention techniques

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)