State Partnerships for First-Episode Psychosis Services

The RAISE (Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode) Connection Program was a partnership that involved state mental health authorities (SMHAs) in Maryland and New York with research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health. The SMHAs collaborated with researchers to implement a team-based approach designed to serve people with newly emerged schizophrenia to maximize recovery and minimize disability. This column explains why states are interested in first-episode psychosis services and describes the development of the successful partnership, financing mechanisms, and plans to add teams in both states.