UW’s Project STAC is recruiting families for a 6-week virtual group to build skills for connecting with a loved one who uses cannabis and is currently in early psychosis treatment. Families will join weekly 90-minute sessions, complete two surveys and one interview, and receive $75. Details below!

NAMI Walks WA 2025 was a huge success! We are so grateful for our team, the new connections we made, & the chance to spread psychosis awareness. 💙 Learn more about our center's initiatives on our website at uwspiritcenter.org #MentalHealthAwareness

This was such an amazing project to be a part of with @uwspiritlab.bsky.social! A huge shoutout and heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing interviewees for sharing your experiences with us all. #mentalhealthawareness

For #WorldSchizophreniaDay on May 24th, we’re proud to share a special newsletter featuring powerful interviews with individuals with lived experience of psychosis and caregivers who support their loved ones experiencing symptoms. 💙 Check it out here: shorturl.at/haL8f

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based continuing education model that uses technology to deliver specialized training in under-resourced settings.

Myth: Mental illness is a white people problem. Reality: We ALL have mental health and deserve proper care. Learn more about BIPOC mental health at mhanational.org/bipoc

Stigma feeds on silence. In honor of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Mental Health America has tools to help you break down stigma around #mentalhealth in BIPOC communities. Learn more at mhanational.org/july

There are roughly 22 CBTp-trained therapists in the US and Canada to treat every 10,000 individuals experiencing a psychotic disorder (Kopelovich, 2022). This is an inequity that stifles everyone's opportunity for recovery. We can and MUST do better. #WhyITrainSMI

The first step in navigating your wellness journey is to check in on yourself. Take a free #mentalhealth test at mhascreening.org. #BIPOCMentalHealth

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn more about BIPOC mental health at mhanational.org/july

#FastFactFriday People with schizophrenia are around 14 times more likely to be the victim of violence than the perpetrator.

Today, May 24th, is World Schizophrenia Day. We join organizations across the world in celebrating the resilience of individuals with schizophrenia, and working to destigmatize this condition. Learn more on our website: uwspiritlab.org/world-schizo... #WorldSchisophreniaDay #WSD

Pittsburgh's early psychosis organization, HeadsUp, is offering a free hybrid full-day training for community health providers on June 7th. Join them for a comprehensive introduction and training on psychosis! Register: https://headsup-pa.org/for-clinicians/education-and-training/headsup-trainings/

Join us on Thursday, May 16th from 1-2PM PST for the webinar: "Bringing Best and Innovative Practices in Early Detection of Psychosis to Washington: Featuring International Expert Dr. Vinod Srihari" Learn about the MindMap mental health campaign! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/PsycWebinar

What is the impact of #aging on cognitive decline and mental health? How will the growing aging population affect #mentalhealth for caregivers? What factors influence caregiver turnover? Don't miss our next Science for Society on May 15 bit.ly/3UHV707

Rather than the traditional call for editor nominations, we are inviting scholars to submit their vision for a new editorial approach to Perspectives on Psychological Science. The deadline for proposal submissions is June 1, 2024.

#FastFactFriday: Read more about early warning signs for psychosis here: https://t.co/4EiU2zOLXB

#FastFactFriday: Hearing voices is a common experience, not something limited to people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

#FastFactFriday Approximately 75% of mental disorders begin before the age of 25. Early intervention programs focus primarily on this age group, because the earlier an individual is treated the better their long-term outcomes are.

#FastFactFriday Psychosis is a condition of the mind described as involving a "loss of contact with reality." It's usually associated with hallucinations or delusions, but can also cause symptoms such as cognitive impairment, odd speech, and disorganization.

#WhyITrainSMI - I train SMI to increase the effectiveness and impact of clinicians who are overworked and and undervalued. I train to help them feel confident and secure in their role.

#FastFactFriday Schizophrenia is the 11th leading cause of global disability, and the third greatest cause of mental illness burden.

Today is Husky Giving Day! Make your donation before 11:50 PDT tonight to directly help the Psychosis Reach program and those involved.

SPIRIT Lab has been chosen for UW's Husky Giving Day! All donations will be for the p-REACH program, dedicated to providing evidence-based skills, resources, and a supportive community for people caring for individuals with psychosis. Donate now through April 4th! https://tinyurl.com/HuskyDay

#FastFactFriday Did you know? Each year 100,000 young adults experience a first episode of psychosis. That's 274 young people every day.

New publication alert! SPIRIT Lab's team recently published an article describing the experiences of the first family peer navigators to participate in our inaugural Family Ambassador cohort. Read here: www.dovepress.com/articles.php...

Save the date for April 30th & May 1st to attend the 2024 Psychosis CARE Virtual Conference! This event is sponsored by the WA Health Care Authority and open to everyone interested in learning more about early identification and intervention of psychosis. Join the interest list: bit.ly/PC-IL24

Just how good are antipsychotics at preventing relapse? Bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap www.nationalelfservice.net?p=189735 Excellent blog today by Samei Huda summarising the recent network meta-analysis in The Lancet Psychiatry #Antipsychotics #Schizophrenia #RelapsePrevention

Why Research from Lower- and Middle-Income Countries Matters to Evidence-Based Intervention: ACT Research as an Example: http://osf.io/vzep5/

Lived experience perspectives of acceptance and commitment therapy for people with psychosis. "This study aimed to explore participants experiences of acceptance and commitment therapy in daily life, and what they found helpful or unhelpful." www.nationalelfservice.net?p=187245

Ohio State University's Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER) is offering a series of speaker talks on the etiology, phenomenology, lived experience and/or treatment of early psychosis. Sign up by tomorrow, February 28th, to attend the March 1st presentation! osu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Save the date for April 30th & May 1st to attend the 2024 Psychosis CARE Virtual Conference! This event is sponsored by the WA Health Care Authority and open to everyone interested in learning more about early identification and intervention of psychosis. Join the interest list: bit.ly/PC-IL24

Today marks the beginning of Black History Month. In the 1960s/70s, black male activists were falsely diagnosed with schizophrenia to justify involuntary commitment. Even now, Black people are diagnosed with schizophrenia 2.4 times more than white people. But this is likely an overdiagnosis.

SPIRIT Lab is now accepting applications for a Study Therapist position in North Seattle! Details and posting available here: tinyurl.com/9vst6ys6

Fast Fact Friday! Join us in dispelling common misconceptions about mental health and psychosis #FastFactFriday

Originally launched in 2020, the Central Assessment of Psychosis Service aims to improve outcome for individuals with psychotic disorders through early detection. In 2024/2025 we aim to expand this service to increase care across Washington State. doi.org/10.1176/appi...

A trial published by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation found evidence that psychosocial treatment could improve motivational negative symptoms in #schizophrenia. Researchers combined CBTp with motivational interviewing and improved behavioral outcomes for participants. tinyurl.com/mrxfe6um

New publication alert! SPIRIT Lab's team, in collaboration with UW School of Nursing and UW School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, recently published an article on creating a digital platform on CBTp for family member of individuals with psychosis. Read here: rdcu.be/dvui5

A recent article in APA PsycNet discusses the role of psychologists in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) teams for early psychosis care, and presents a suggested model for implementation. The article was co-authored by Dr. Sarah Kopelovich of the SPIRIT Lab: psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-...

Compassion-focused therapy for psychosis: study suggests it’s feasible and acceptable, so what next? www.nationalelfservice.net/treatment/ps...

Located within UW's Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department, the SPIRIT Lab’s mission is to improve the well-being of individuals experiencing psychosis and their families through research, training, and increasing access to care. Follow us to join the conversation about promoting recovery!