Research, from Kempton and colleagues at King’s College London, has recently suggested that progression to psychosis, in patients who are at ultra-high clinical risk, is greatest within the first months of clinical presentation. This effect decreases for each subsequent month.

These findings suggest the duration of the clinical risk state can impact on transition to psychosis. This supports the idea that waiting times for treatment should be reduced, and weekly monitoring should be offered. Early Intervention service offers such service. The Early Intervention team in Sussex have recently set up a website for young people with information on mental health, personal recovery stories, and guidance for help seeking. Click here to view the website.

Kempton and colleagues highlight the importance of early help seeking. Research in Manchester and Norfolk has recently been assessing social recovery CBT for young people with emerging psychological difficulties. This is the PRODIGY project (Prevention of Long-Term Social Disability in Young People with Emerging Psychological Difficulties). This project has the aim of increasing the young person's engagement in employment and social activities, and exploring emotional disturbances and functioning of these young people with an at-risk mental state. This research has demonstrated promising findings and it is used within Sussex. If you would like to know more about PRODIGY, please contact Dr Clio Berry (C.Berry@sussex.ac.uk).