Call for Mental Health Services
One of the most common things I hear from families navigating early psychosis is that they wish they had understood what was happening sooner.
Not necessarily that they missed something obvious, but that the early changes were hard to name. Things felt different, but not clearly defined. There was a sense of waiting, hoping it would resolve on its own.
By the time they connect to care, that period of uncertainty has already had an impact.
In clinical work, we have a term for this. It is called the Duration of Untreated Psychosis, or DUP. It refers to the time between the onset of symptoms and the start of treatment. It is one of the most consistent indicators we have when it comes to long-term outcomes.
The longer that gap, the more complicated recovery can become.
Between the ages of 12 and 25 is a pivotal period for the early signs of psychosis to appear. This is a time when young people are building identity, relationships, and independence. When symptoms begin during this stage, they can affect multiple areas of life at once.
Part of the challenge is that early signs are not always recognized. Changes in thinking, perception, or behavior can be gradual. Families may not know what they are seeing, and young people may not have the language to explain it.
As a result, care is often delayed until symptoms escalate.
That is the gap we are trying to address at Hanna Center.
We recently launched Hanna Ahead, our new early psychosis program utilizes the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model, an evidence-based approach designed specifically for early psychosis.
What is important about this model is that it reflects how people actually experience life, and what impacts mental health. It is not limited to individual therapy. It includes psychiatric care when appropriate, peer support from individuals with lived experience, and family, educational, and employment support built into the process.
Because people do not go through this alone.
Over the past year, we have seen a 64 percent increase in referrals for mental health services. That tells us more individuals and families are reaching out, but it also reinforces the importance of responding early and effectively.
From a clinical perspective, this is about timing.
When we are able to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis, we create more opportunity for stability and long-term recovery. We are not waiting for a crisis. We are responding to early changes.
I often think about what families are asking for in those early moments. It is not perfection. It is clarity. It is support. It is a path forward.
That is what Hanna Ahead is designed to provide.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage providers to attend our upcoming free community forum on early psychosis and early intervention to learn more about supporting youth in their care.
For families and community members, I encourage you to reach out to our intake specialist to learn more about early signs and how to access support through programs like Hanna Center’s new Hanna Ahead Early Psychosis Program.
Because earlier support does not just change what is happening now. It can change what comes next.