The status of early intervention services in Greece

Abstract

IntroductionSchizophrenia and other psychotic disorders usually emerge during adolescence and early adulthood deteriorating the lives of young people. As a result, a lot of early intervention services have been developed worldwide.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the status of early intervention services in Greece related to similar programs around the world.MethodsThe literature was accessed in order to investigate the status of clinical early intervention services throughout the world. In terms of Greece, a naturalistic research was added to the literature one, since there are not enough published data available.ResultsHundreds of early intervention programs exist in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia, designed to provide early and sustained care with less prescription not only soon after psychosis has been diagnosed but in a prodromal state as well, like the outreach and support in South London (OASIS) team. In Greece, four early intervention services have been established since 2007, without funding, and they still operate in a volunteer basis. Furthermore, the field about ultra-high risk subjects in Greece remains neglected.ConclusionsThe specialized services play an important role in the prevention and proper clinical management of the illness and its outcome with a positive impact on the economy. Greece needs to recognize the significance of this issue in order to enhance public health and welfare.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.