The Early Intervention Service (EIS) is a specialist community mental health team which work with individuals aged between 14 and 65 years in the three years following the first episode of psychosis. Psychosis is a debilitating illness with far reaching implications for the individual and his/her family. It can affect all aspects of life: education and employment, relationships and social functioning, physical and mental wellbeing.
Intervening in the early stages of psychosis is critical to long term outcome. The Early Intervention Service adopts an assertive outreach approach and provides individualised, comprehensive, evidence based interventions to optimise recovery, prevent relapse and help individuals and their families to cope with their experiences. In doing so, we aim to improve social, physical, psychological and vocational functioning and reduce the short and long term impact of psychosis.
We base our support around the person’s needs. We can provide the following kinds of support:
- Specialist ongoing assessments of the indvidiual’s needs
- A care co-ordinator
- Assessment of relapse signs and a relapse plan
- Medication advice and monitoring
- Advice to the individual and their family about managing and maintaining recovery
- Advice on training, employment, and education
- Youth-friendly help such as confidence building activities and social interaction for younger people
There are a broad range of people involved in someone’s support. This includes psychologists, social workers, vocational workers, occupational therapists, fitness and lifestyle workers, BME workers, support workers, psychiatrists and nurses.
We can give families and carers information and advice about mental health. Where possible, we like to work with families and carers in helping someone recover.
Family work is available to clients and families and carers where appropriate.
There are carers teams available in Sandwell and Wolverhampton who can support carers of adults with mental health problems. We may be able to help a carer get in touch with this team.
Professionals can make a direct referral by telephone, letter or fax, completing the referral form. Anyone can contact the service for advice.
If the crisis is during normal working hours then call your team, and a duty worker or care co-ordinator will be able to deal with the emergency.
Out of hours
In Sandwell, the team answer machine message will re-direct people to the appropriate emergency service.
In Wolverhampton, out of out of hours service users can contact out of hours GP service on 111 or contact Penn Hospital 01902 442970 for advice and support.
Most activity takes place at venues most acceptable to the client and so may vary between home, town centre or our team base. The service also makes considerable use of other community based facilities such as leisure centres, colleges to ensure opportunities for social inclusion.
Sandwell Early Intervention
The service is currently available Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Address:
Edward Street Community Team Base
Edward Street
West Bromwich
B70 8NL
Tel: 0121 612 6716
Fax: 0121 612 3750
Wolverhampton Early Intervention
The service is available Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Address:
44 Pond Lane
Parkfields
Wolverhampton
WV2 1HG
Tel: 01902 443 993