pREVENTION AND eARLY iNTERVENTION
The goal of prevention and early intervention is to keep people healthy, or provide treatment early on in an illness. The result is a dramatic reduction in negative consequences caused by leaving mental illness untreated until it reaches our emergency rooms, jails and streets.
Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness prevent the majority of people from asking for help before they reach a crisis point. Through prevention and early intervention, we can reduce the human suffering caused by leaving mental illness untreated.
Three promising new prevention and early intervention programs- Suicide Prevention, Stigma and Discrimination Reduction, and Student Mental Health- are tackling some of California's most serious problems with proven approaches. These programs have the power to greatly reduce the amount of money spent on crisis services for people with serious mental illness. But most importantly, they will help thousands of children, adults and seniors stay healthy- and save thousands of lives.
Research shows that prevention is effective at helping people avoid serious mental illness. Treating an illness early results in better outcomes, just as it does for diseases like diabetes. Scientific studies have shown that:
Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness prevent the majority of people from asking for help before they reach a crisis point. Through prevention and early intervention, we can reduce the human suffering caused by leaving mental illness untreated.
Three promising new prevention and early intervention programs- Suicide Prevention, Stigma and Discrimination Reduction, and Student Mental Health- are tackling some of California's most serious problems with proven approaches. These programs have the power to greatly reduce the amount of money spent on crisis services for people with serious mental illness. But most importantly, they will help thousands of children, adults and seniors stay healthy- and save thousands of lives.
Research shows that prevention is effective at helping people avoid serious mental illness. Treating an illness early results in better outcomes, just as it does for diseases like diabetes. Scientific studies have shown that:
- First symptoms appear two to four years before an illness becomes serious. Treating during this window results in the best health outcomes.
- More than half of mental issues begin by age 14. Yet most children and youth don't receive help during this critical period.
- The majority of people experiencing the early stages of mental illness recover completely with services and treatment.
- Children who receive mental health support are more likely to be successful in school and as adults.
