Detect

The Detect App gives you information about early intervention for psychosis. Detect is an early intervention service in Dublin and North Wicklow (Ireland). The Detect App is useful for people interested in this topic, particularly people who have experienced psychosis, their families and friends and health care professionals (GP etc.). In addition to information on psychosis and evidence based treatment, this App provides a dictionary of frequently used terms relating to mental illness.

‘The earlier, the better.’ Recognising and treating medical conditions early makes sense. This is as true for mental health conditions as it is for psychical illness. Many intervention services for psychosis have been developed internationally. The World Health Organisation suggests that in mental health ’Early intervention is fundamental in preventing progress towards a full-blown disease, in controlling symptoms and improving outcomes’.

The Detect App is divided into three user friendly sections (1) someone concerned about themselves; (2) someone concerned about someone they know; (3) health professionals. Each section provides information in accessible language to give a clear understanding about psychosis, the importance of getting help early and the treatment available. In addition to written descriptions there is also audio interviews with someone with experience of psychosis and a DETECT clinician. Within the section for health professionals are two questionnaires to assist clinicians when they are undertaking an assessment with a person they suspect might be experiencing psychosis.

The DETECT App is part of a multi media education campaign to increase public and professional knowledge about psychosis. The major activities undertaken over the last five years are described within a dedicated section of the App.

Other information in the App includes contact details for the DETECT service and a map to the DETECT offices.