Strengthening early psychosis care nationwide can improve long-term outcomes for young people with serious mental health conditions, benefiting families, communities, and the broader healthcare system.
New research coauthored by Westat’s Preethy George, PhD; Talia L. Spark, PhD; Alexander Devora, MPH, MS; John Cosgrove, PhD; and Abram Rosenblatt, PhD, published in Psychiatric Services, examines the structural characteristics of more than 100 programs participating in the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET), funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study analyzes key program features across the U.S. to better understand service capacity, funding structures, and the broader context in which early psychosis care is delivered.
Researchers found that most programs are housed within community mental health centers and rely on multiple funding sources, including Medicaid and private insurance. The majority of these programs launched after a 2014 federal investment in early psychosis services. By documenting program age, size, funding streams, and eligibility criteria, the study provides critical context for understanding service capacity and sustainability.
The findings highlight both the promise of large-scale, data-driven research to improve coordinated specialty care and the ongoing need to strengthen financing mechanisms to ensure program maintenance and expansion.
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Structural Characteristics of Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) Programs
Authors: Preethy George, PhD; Talia L. Spark, PhD; Alexander Devora, MPH, MS; Regan Mukai, MPH; John Cosgrove, PhD; Howard H. Goldman, MD, PhD; and Abram Rosenblatt, PhD