RAISE Resources for Patients and Families

A psychotic episode can be confusing and frightening for young people and their families and friends. The Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) web pages offer a number of tools to help you understand the condition, treatment options, and strategies for living with psychosis. The Questions & Answers page provides information about the most common concerns.

The resources below include printable materials such as factsheets, brochures, and a glossary. You’ll also find online and telephone assistance, informative videos, and more. An asterisk (*) appears next to those resources produced by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This list of resources is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by NIMH.

Videos

Understanding Psychosis

• What is Psychosis? Psychosis and its symptoms and causes are described. Advice is also offered about what to do if someone you know is experiencing psychosis. (Developed by the Center for Practice Innovations, Columbia Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute for the New York City Thrive Learning Center.)
• Voices of Recovery Video Series: Young women, men, and parents share inspiring and informative recovery stories. (Developed by the Center for Practice Innovations, Columbia Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute with funding from NIMH.)
• * Google+ Hangout on First Episode Psychosis: Dr. John Kane and Dr. Amy Goldstein answer viewer questions about first episode psychosis.
• Psychosis-Early Detection Saves Minds: Developed by NIMH grantee MindMapCT

Treating Psychosis

• * Treating First Episode Psychosis: Dr. John Kane discusses treating first episode psychosis using coordinated specialty care.
• Implementing Early Treatment of Psychosis: Dr. Lisa Dixon talks about her personal interest in RAISE and about developing first episode psychosis treatment programs in communities.
• Antipsychotics, Weight Gain, and How to Keep Kids Healthy: Dr. Christoph Correll, a professor of psychiatry at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine and an expert in pediatric schizophrenia, talks about balancing the benefits of antipsychotic medications with strategies to address their side effects. His core message is simple: encourage healthy living and always begin with the intervention that poses the smallest risk. He also describes more intensive treatments for the weight gain that often accompanies these medications.

Printer-Friendly Fact Sheets and Publications

• * Fact Sheet: Early Warning Signs of Psychosis
• * Fact Sheet: First Episode Psychosis
• * Coordinated Specialty Care and Checklist
• * Glossary
• * Schizophrenia Brochures
  • Schizophrenia: A detailed, 18-page booklet on schizophrenia that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments. The booklet has information on getting help and coping. Order or download the brochure.
  • Esquizofrenia: Un folleto detallado - escrito en español - que describe los síntomas, causas y tratamientos de la esquizofrenia. El folleto tiene información sobre cómo obtener ayuda y afrontamiento. Ordenar o descargar.
• Understanding Psychosis: Resources and Recovery: A resource guide to help young people, parents and loved ones understand psychosis. (Developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Minnesota, an NIMH Outreach Partner.)
• A Sibling’s Guide to Psychosis:  Information, ideas and resources. (Developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association.)

National Organizations

NIMH does not endorse specific early psychosis clinics, but there are several organizations that may be able to assist you in finding a treatment program in your area. This list may not be comprehensive.

• Early Assessment & Support Alliance (EASA)
  EASA offers a National Early Psychosis Directory that lists early psychosis programs nationwide.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  The NAMI Helpline web page can connect you with the NAMI office in your state and help you find programs close to home. In addition, you can talk with someone at the helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Monday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm ET or through email at info@nami.org.
• Prodrome and Early Psychosis Program Network (PEPPNET)
  PEPPNET supports a national network of programs providing services to people who are at risk for or experiencing early psychosis. PEPPNET’s Early Intervention for Psychosis Directory has additional information.

Online Resources

• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator Enter a zip code for a list of mental health providers and centers in that area.
• National Alliance on Mental IllnessThis website can connect you with the NAMI office in your state, resources, and support for caregivers.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Shared Decision Making information: Shared decision making means individuals and their health care providers work together to find the best treatment or care choices. It is important that individuals with behavioral health conditions learn the skills needed to participate in decisions with their health care providers.

Phone Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Information Helpline: This information and referral service can be reached at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., EST or by email at info@nami.org. 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress is available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• SAMHSA's 24-hour Referral Helpline: For substance abuse and mental health services, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Additional Information about RAISE

• For details about the RAISE initiative, please visit "What is RAISE?"
• The Questions & Answers page provides information about the most common concerns.