Will Convene Physicians, Researchers, Clinicians, and Educators to Discuss Key Issues Facing At Risk Youth
ATLANTA- February 16, 2016 – DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB) today announced that registration is open for Psychosis Early Intervention: From Bench to Practice Conference, the first-ever Georgia conference dedicated to highlight the emerging science of psychosis early intervention for youth. The conference will be held March 19, 2016 at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Conference registration is $50 and limited scholarships are available for those who qualify.
This Psychosis Early Intervention Conference will feature some of the nation’s top researchers. Speakers include Elaine Walker, PhD of Emory University Department of Psychology; Joseph McEvoy, MD and Brian Miller, MD, PhD of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; Michael T. Compton, MD, MPH of the Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Psychiatry; Robert Cotes, MD of Emory University; and Joseph Bona, MD, MBA of the DeKalb CSB.
“We are very excited about the level of enthusiasm we have received from the speakers and attendees for this unique scientific conference,” said DeKalb CSB CEO Joseph Bona, MD. “We look forward to bringing together this distinguished faculty for a day-long continuing education conference focused upon the latest science related to Psychosis Early Intervention for youth.”
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder characterized by deficits in thought processes, perceptions, and emotional responsiveness. Nearly one in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, which if left untreated can lead to a number of significant issues and chronic disability. It is estimated that approximately 82,000 Georgia residents live with schizophrenia. When schizophrenia occurs early in life, it has a profound impact on a youth’s behavior and development. The early age of onset presents special challenges for diagnosis, treatment, educational needs, and emotional and social development.
In 2015, with grant-funding support from Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental and Disabilities, the DeKalb CSB launched the Prevention and Early Intervention Program (PEIP). This program strives to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis in youth by providing a quick assessment and enrollment process, individual and group therapy, pharmacotherapy, intensive case management, family support, education, as well as supported employment and educational opportunities to young adults throughout metro-Atlanta. Conference-goers will learn more about innovative evidenced-based treatment strategies, connect with peers, and review the latest scientific findings in this expanding area of study.
Click here to find out more about the conference. To learn more about the Prevention and Early Intervention Program, visit http://georgiapeip.org.
