Early intervention is key to treating mental illness

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The importance of early intervention was the message Monday morning at a seminar on mental health at Sycamore Springs Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Center in Lafayette.

During the seminar which was open to the public, the program's speaker, Carol Ott, pointed out how research shows those suffering from serious mental illness can have their first episode between the ages of 15 to 25.

Ott, a clinical pharmacologist, said those are critical years and those suffering from mental illness are often forced to deal with issues they don't understand. She explained, if left untreated, it can lead to disastrous consequences.

"They end up either dropping out of school or losing their job and they end up incarcerated or substance abusing and what we can help them do is get control of their life again," said Ott.

Ott added that mental illness is treatable and if you or someone you know is suffering, don't wait to get help. She said help is available through programs and centers like Sycamore Springs. Ott was at Sycamore Springs to talk about the Prevention and Recovery Center for Early Psychosis (PARC) Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program at Wishard Health Services in Indianapolis. Ott is also a faculty member at Purdue University.

The presentation Monday morning covered an overview of psychosis, the burden of psychosis, why early intervention is important and what the PARC can provide to newly diagnosed individuals.

Learn more about the programs and services at Sycamore Springs in Lafayette via the treatment center's website .