The At Risk Mental State (ARMS) Service has recently launched in north east Essex (Colchester and Tendring districts) and north west Essex (Epping Forest, Waltham Abbey, Ongar, Harlow, Stansted Mountfitchet, Great Dunmow and Saffron Walden).
It has also been available to people living in mid Essex for just over a year, and to those living in south east and south west Essex for just over two years.
The teams are made up of professionals with a variety of specialisms, who work with people aged 14 to 35 who may be hearing voices, seeing visions, feeling paranoid or having unusual thoughts. These experiences can be distressing and also affect a person’s work, education, or relationships.
They take a psychology-led approach and aim to provide support and treatment to prevent these experiences developing into psychosis. The service provision across Essex varies, however each team ensures individuals are allocated to a worker who can provide emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.
Abby Martin, Mental Health Practitioner for the north east Essex ARMS, said: “Our goal is to work with and support individuals to improve their quality of life.
“Together, you’ll explore treatment options including psychological interventions aimed at reducing distress, developing coping strategies, and improving your relationships and overall quality of life.
“We also offer family intervention to help loved ones understand and support you, as well as assistance with education, training and vocational goals, and benefits.”
People who have untreated psychosis for a long time are more likely to have poorer recovery and it also affects their work and education.
Jennifer Tanner, Clinical Manager for the mid Essex ARMS, said: “By using specialist assessment tools, we identify people who are presenting with experiences that identify them as being of ultra-high risk of developing psychosis.
“We are able to treat people earlier, as we know the longer the time people remain untreated with psychosis, the poorer recovery outcomes can be.
“We aim to either prevent the onset of psychosis altogether or, if psychosis is emerging, delay the onset whilst attempting to improve the person’s functioning and get them treatment as quickly as possible for a first episode of psychosis.”
Some of the feedback we have received from people supported by the ARMS include:
“I have immense support, an encouraging environment where I was recognised for my contribution, and opportunities to learn and grow as a person with mental health issues.”
“The ARMS team have been absolutely fantastic in supporting us as a family and teaching our son the tools he needs to try and build his confidence.”
“I don’t know where I’d be without you. I was going through a very scary period in my life and without the support of the service I don’t think I’d be around to live another day.”
For more information about what the service offers in each area, and referral criteria, visit Our Services page.