GETTING TO KNOW..... TREVOR BUSHELL (HEADSPACE)

LEE STEVENS recently tracked down TREVOR BUSHELL from HEADSPACE, and asked him what the new service is all about

TB: Headspace is a new service that works solely with young people (14-35 years) who have first episode of psychosis. We also work with young people who are at risk of developing it.

TB: It's a condition where people can lose contact with reality. Some symptoms can be hearing voices, or seeing things that aren't there. They may believe they're being watched, followed or persecuted. Thoughts can get very confused.

TB: The service has been set up to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis young people may experience. The longer someone goes untreated, so the risk of relapse increases and the worse it affects their life. We're here to ensure young people get treatment as early as possible.

TB: Nothing has been singly identified. It seems anyone can develop it, but there are things that make you more at risk. For example, stress, illicit drugs, and a family history of mental illness.

TB: There's seven of us in the team and we all have different things we can do well. All of us will see clients and support and work with them as often as they need. We like to be centred on what the client's needs are and we think it's important to build up good relationships with them and their family. That's a large part of our work. We'll see young people wherever they want to be seen.
 
Another thing we would do is to go out into the community to raise awareness of psychosis, reduce the stigma it may have. We also try and ensure our service has a 'friendly face' in the community. That includes going into schools and colleges.

TB: We started taking referrals in September 2006. We felt it important that anyone could refer to our service, even members of the public. Since then we have been pleased to receive referrals from all sorts of places. we have had over 20 referrals.

TB: Good question! We recently designed a poster and leaflet that should be all over the city by now. They both explain what the early signs to look for are. Some include: sleep disturbances, depressed mood, suspiciousness, isolation from family and friends, poor concentration. A lot of people say they just feel something in the world has changed. They may also have visual hallucinations or hear voices. If anyone is worried then call US!
 
DOWNLOAD THE POSTER/LEAFLET - (PDF 430kb)
 
HEADSPACE: 02392 737106