Inspirational film helps raise awareness of psychosis
An inspirational film which gives real life accounts of the symptoms, thoughts and feelings young people experience whilst battling psychosis will be premiered at an event in Manchester this week.
Service users of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMW) Early Intervention Service gave brave accounts of their journeys and how the support they received helped them to make sense of their experiences and work towards recovery.
The film was made in collaboration with a local film maker to help raise awareness of psychosis and reduce stigma. The film which will be shown in schools and colleges will help stress the importance of getting help at the earliest possible opportunity. It also looks at the different factors that can contribute to someone experiencing an episode of psychosis.
The film will also be used as part of psychological therapy sessions and family interventions at the service to help those individuals and their families understand psychosis further whilst conveying a hopeful message that recovery is possible.
The Early Intervention Service forms part of GMW. It offers help and support to those aged 14-35 who are experiencing their first episodes of psychosis. Covering Bolton, Salford and Trafford, the service helps to significantly reduce the time it takes for people to reach appropriate treatment. Research suggests that receiving help at the earliest opportunity will help ensure a more rapid recovery and improved quality of life.
The film will be premiered at an Educational Event at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale on Wednesday 13th May with speakers including Tom Tasker, GP and Clinical Lead for Mental Health in Salford and Tony Morrison, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester.
The film is available from GMW’s YouTube site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQxZCbZ97Vc. For more information about the Early Intervention Teams, visit the GMW website where a full service booklet is available for download www.gmmh.nhs.uk
