Psychosis is a medical term used to describe hearing or seeing things or holding unusual beliefs that others do not share. Psychosis causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them. Around one to three in one hundred people will experience a psychotic episode at some point in their life.

Treating someone with a first episode of psychosis as early as possible is important. Research shows early intervention and treatment can improve people’s long-term outcomes.

Likewise, failure to intervene early with appropriate support and treatment can have significant social, emotional and vocational costs on an individual.

Psychosis costs the NHS £2 billion every year. Yet only 65 per cent of people with psychosis are receiving treatment. We want to see more people get the right treatment as soon as they show signs of experiencing a first episode of psychosis – if everyone received early intervention, it would save the NHS £44 million every year.

Our Early Intervention in Psychosis team have developed a range of materials designed to support GPs if they suspect someone may be experiencing a first episode of psychosis.

Find out more about psychosis, read news and blogs, watch training videos and download resources on the My Health London website

Download our Peer Support Pack for Early Intervention in Psychosis