Information for family members, carers and friends

What is psychosis?

Psychosis is a mental health difficulty which can develop for a number of reasons including genetics, personality, life events and experiences, the environment you live in and things which cause you stress.

What are the signs/symptoms?

Psychosis can cause symptoms such as paranoia, having experiences of hearing, seeing or feeling things that other people don’t, having confusing thoughts or getting your words muddled.

What do EIP services do and how can they help my loved one?

EIP stands for Early Intervention in Psychosis. The service works with individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis to support them with their mental health and help them to manage and recover from the unusual and distressing experiences they might be experiencing.

Research shows us that support received in the first months and years after a first episode of psychosis is really important in giving the best chance of recovery; we provide the treatment and support needed to help your loved one get back to the life they want to lead as quickly as possible.

We offer support for up to three years even if symptoms appear to have gone after a few weeks. We do this to help prevent these distressing experiences from coming back by supporting understanding of why symptoms might have occurred in the first place, how to recognise early signs they might be returning and how to minimise the impact if they do return. 

What is a care plan?

A care plan is created with the individual, their family/carer and the care team. It sets out the individuals' goals and how they are going to be supported. This includes information about medication and therapeutic interventions we can provide.

The person accessing the service is able to ask to see their care plan at any time and can ask for it to be reviewed if they think that something needs to be changed.

What to do in a crisis

If someone is having thoughts of harming themselves or others, please follow the information on our crisis page: www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/urgent-help-crisis

Alternatively, take them to your nearest A&E or if you are unable to get there safely, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

You could also contact the 24 hour mental healthline on 0300 5000 101 or the Mental Health Rapid Response Service (MHRRS) on 0300 304 0078 if you are based in Brighton and Hove. 

When your loved one has been allocated a lead practitioner they will have the opportunity to develop their own crisis and safety plan which you will have the opportunity to be involved in planning.  

Team roles

Our six teams across Sussex are made up of professionals from a variety of backgrounds including doctors specialising in psychiatry, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, peer workers and community support workers.

Our staff can support with different aspects of health, including medical, psychological, social and physical. We can also support with work, education, relationships and housing.

Locations, opening hours and contact details

All services are open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. 

• EIS Hailsham
  Highmore
  Western Road
  Hailsham
  East Sussex
  BN27 3DY

Tel: 01323 446062
Email: spnt.hailshameip@nhs.net

• EIS Brighton
  Aldrington Centre
  35 New Church Road
  Hove
  BN3 4AG. 

Tel: 0300 304 0064
Email: spnt.brightoneip@nhs.net

• EIS Hastings
  Cavendish House
  Breeds Place
  Hastings
  East Sussex
  TN34 3AA

Tel: 01424 726500
Email: spnt.hastingseip@nhs.net 

• EIS Horsham
  New Park House
  North Street
  Horsham
  RH12 1RJ 

Tel: 0300 304 0021
Email: spnt.horshameip@nhs.net

• EIS Worthing
  Arun House
  16 Liverpool Gardens
  Worthing
  West Sussex
  BN11 1RY

Tel: 0300 304 0067
Email: spnt.worthingeip@nhs.net

• EIS Bognor
  The Bedale Centre
  1 Glencathara Road
  Bognor Regis
  West Sussex
  PO21 2SF

Tel: 0300 304 0374
Email: spnt.bognoreip@nhs.net

What can we expect from the service?

We aim to see people who are referred to the service within two weeks, but we will try to see them more quickly if possible. If someone needs to be seen more urgently we may recommend contacting an urgent care service in the first instance.

The assessment process can last up to six weeks and in that time the individual may see a number of different people in the team to make sure that we are completing the assessment thoroughly. After the assessment is complete we will determine whether we are the right service and if we are not, we will ensure that they are signposted to the most relevant and appropriate service for them.

We are able to offer support/treatment for up to three years.

Self-help ideas

As a relative or friend of someone who is experiencing mental health difficulties it can be really hard to know what to do or say sometimes. But the support of family, friends and carers is so important to help someone in their recovery. 

Talking to someone about how they are feeling or what is happening to them can be difficult, especially if you are worried that you will hurt their feelings or make them angry or upset. 

This booklet gives you some advice on how you might manage these difficulties: click here.

Support

There is some really useful information available on the Likemind website: click here.

Read stories from families supporting a loved one with psychosis - click here.

Useful apps and websites

• HeadMeds - www.headmeds.org.uk
• Like Mind - www.likemind.nhs.uk
• NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk 

How do I raise a concern, complaint or compliment about the service?

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is an information and advice service for patients, families, carers and the public. They will try to support you in whatever way they can to ensure that your experience at Sussex Partnership is a positive one.

If you don’t know what’s happening regarding the care of your loved one, or you need information and advice but don’t know who to ask, please contact PALS.

Tel: 0300 304 2198
Email: pals@sussexpartnership.nhs.uk

For further information, click here.

How long does treatment last?

We are able to offer support and treatment for up to three years for anyone who is taken onto the caseload after assessment. 

How can I get help for me and my family too?

We offer Family Intervention sessions to clients who are on the caseload and will discuss with you and them who is important to be included in these meetings. 

You will be offered advice and information on accessing individual and group support for yourself and any other family members or friends who may benefit from this. This may be directly from the Early Intervention Service or from specialists third sector organisations. 

Waiting times

We aim to see people who are referred to the service within two weeks, but we will try to see them quicker if possible.

The assessment process can last up to six weeks and in that time the individual may see a number of different people in the team to make sure that we are completing the assessment thoroughly. After the assessment is complete we will determine whether we are the right service and if we are not, we will ensure that they are signposted to the most relevant and appropriate service for them.

My loved one doesn't want to be referred to the service - what do I do?

You could initially speak to your GP for advice and support them to attend their GP if they are willing. If you feel the situation is urgent, you could try to support them to attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department and speak to the Psychiatric Liaison team.

If the situation is urgent and you feel they/you/anyone else may come to harm please do call the Police and/or ambulance on 999, if you make them aware the situation is relating to someone’s mental health they may be able to attend with a mental health professional through the Street Triage team.