Sent on behalf of the LACPA Serious Mental Illness SIG:

Hello everyone,

I hope you will join us for our inaugural SMI SIG meeting, on Tuesday, December 19^th, 12-1pm by Zoom!

Please fill out this RSVP link to register, and complete this interest survey for future SMI SIG meetings.

Our first meeting will focus on the topic of Clinical High Risk for Psychosis:

Psychosis and psychotic like experiences are experienced on a continuum across the population spectrum; Around 5% of the population may experience subclinical psychosis at a given time, and the vast majority (75–90%) resolve on their own without treatment (Van Os, Linscott, Myin-Germeys, Delespaul, & Krabbendam, (2009). However, there is a group of individuals who experience more consistent psychotic symptoms that can be upsetting yet do not meet diagnostic criteria for a full psychotic illness. This is considered Clinical High Risk for psychosis or CHR. CHR is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a syndrome. It is estimated that prior to the onset of a psychotic illness, approximately 2/3 of people experience a CHR phase. Although not all individuals considered to be CHR will go on to develop a psychotic illness, many experience co-occurring or future mental conditions such as depression. Those who do transition from CHR to a psychotic illness are most likely to do so within 1–2 years (Fusar-Poli et al., 2012). Thus the "CHR" phase presents an opportunity for detection, monitoring and early intervention.

About the SMI SIG:

This group will provide education and peer support related to the provision of care for individuals experiencing serious mental illness. We will host presentations and more informal research briefings by SMI experts, related to assessment and intervention recommendations from over 20+ years of longitudinal and cross-sectional clinical research through the UCLA Center for Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS) and other collaborators.

Community SIG members are invited to submit topics or presentations for upcoming meetings. We will meet at least quarterly but interim meetings may be held more frequently for SMI related psychoeducation and resource support if there is sufficient interest.

Again, here is the RSVP link to register, and would greatly appreciate any input via the interest survey for future SMI SIG meetings.

Hope to see you there. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Warmly,

Laura

"The opinions of presenters at informal forums, such as Special Interest Groups (SIGs) or club meetings, and their approach to psychological issues and interventions do not represent a formal endorsement of any position by the Los Angeles County Psychological Association or its members. The opinions, ideas, and concepts expressed are purely those of the presenter."