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"EIP Services - A Life Line"

About: Sligo General Hospital / Psychiatry Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services / Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Service Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services / Family Connections Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services / Leitrim Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Services Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services / Sligo Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Services

(as a parent/guardian),

When my son first began experiencing symptoms of psychosis, our world was filled with fear, confusion, and uncertainty. We were fortunate to be connected quickly with an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) team  and looking back, I can confidently say it made all the difference in his recovery.

From the very beginning, the EIP team provided specialised, compassionate, and comprehensive support. They took the time to explain what psychosis is, what we might expect, and most importantly that early treatment could greatly improve my son's chances of long-term recovery. They showed kindness and patience even when he didn't want to interact with anyone. They even arranged times and places around my son.Their approach wasn’t just about medication; it was holistic, combining therapy, family education, social support, and personalised care plans tailored specifically to my son’s needs.

Thanks to EIP services, my son was able to regain his confidence,  and learn important coping strategies. The team worked closely with him (and with us as a family) to set realistic goals and helped him gradually reintegrate into daily life at a pace that respected his journey. They also made sure that the family were equipped with the knowledge and tools to best support him without overwhelming him.

One of the most valuable aspects of EIP is the emphasis on hope and recovery. Instead of seeing psychosis as a life sentence, they framed it as a challenge that could be managed and overcome with the right support. That message was powerful for both my son and our entire family.

Today, my son is looking ahead and making plans for his future, something I couldn't have imagined in those early, difficult days. He has now applied to University and will be starting in September. Although there are still challenges along the way, the support provided through early intervention has given him the strength and coping skills needed for the future.

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Responses

Response from Donagh O'Neill, Consultant Psychiatrist, South/West Sligo Team, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services yesterday
Donagh O'Neill
Consultant Psychiatrist, South/West Sligo Team,
Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services
Submitted on 29/04/2025 at 13:09
Published on Care Opinion Ireland at 13:09


picture of Donagh O'Neill

Thank you for writing down your experiences working with the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team (EIP), Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service (SLMHS). The EIP Team has been established to offer immediate access to evidenced based interventions for people (often young) presenting to the service with first episode psychotic symptoms. The aim of these interventions is to improve outcomes at the start of the illness journey, in terms of symptom recovery, remaining in education/employment and remaining connected to family, friends and local community. The team offers an holistic and multidisciplinary approach always mindful of the importance of remaining positive, compassionate, family and friend focused. Your posting describes the experience of working with the EIP Team as a parent of a young person with first episode psychosis. Your experience which is so well captured in your posting, mirrors the aims and ethos of the EIP team and gives powerful testimony to the importance of growing our early intervention approach within SLMHS. Thanks again for taking the time to write such a positive and considered post on Care Opinion. Postings such a your help our team to build on the early intervention work we have started within SLMHS.

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