Description:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted how mental health services are provided worldwide, leading many providers to adapt their traditional in-person services by implementing telehealth services (e.g., via videoconferencing platforms). However, little is known about the effectiveness of telehealth services for youth in the early stages of psychosis -- young people experiencing subthreshold or initial, full symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, disorganization, etc. This is an especially important topic, since research is suggesting that the stress of the pandemic may be increasing the prevalence of psychotic experiences. This webinar will cover telehealth considerations for youth in the early stages of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Related and complementary interventions for this group, including smartphone apps and other virtual interventions, will also be discussed.

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Presenter:
Joseph DeLuca, Ph.D., is an NIMH-T32 Postdoctoral Fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, specializing in psychosis-risk and the early stages of psychosis. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. DeLuca’s research and clinical interests include screening and treatment for psychosis-spectrum symptoms, particularly with youth and families, as well as stigma, the role of culture and context in psychosis, and the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system.

Learning Objectives:

• Define psychosis and early-stage psychosis  
• Understand the unique impact of the COVID-19 impact pandemic on psychosis
• Discuss telehealth considerations and strategies for youth in the early stages of psychosis

Who Should Attend?
Mental health professionals, mental health advocates, mental health graduate students, and others who work with/on behalf of youth diagnosed with mental illness.

Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (45 minutes) or more of the live webinar (via email within 30 business days post-event). CEUs are not offered for this session. The webinar slide presentation and recording will be posted to the website.