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Founded in 2018, the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center/HeadsUp, located at the University of Pennsylvania, serves as a robust hub for mental healthcare advocates, clinicians and centers across Pennsylvania on the frontlines of education, treatment and de-stigmatization of early psychosis.
Starting in 2008, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a large-scale, research initiative highlighting and promoting the importance of early intervention for psychosis and the efficacy of the Coordinated Specialty Care model for early psychosis treatment.
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In response to this exciting research, specialized First Episode Psychosis centers were created with support of the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Pennsylvania in 2015. With the goal of supporting these existing centers as well as enabling pathways to expand statewide FEP resources, Irene Hurford, MD, began the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center in 2018, evolving into HeadsUp in 2019 under the leadership of Christian Kohler, MD and Monica Calkins, PhD.
Funding for HeadsUp is also provided through a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). MHBG funding and the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has opened up pathways to build upon Pennsylvania’s First Episode Psychosis support and treatment successes.
While HeadsUp does not offer clinical care, our work helps to support and expand the care provided by the FEP centers across Pennsylvania and with collaborating states, increases awareness of early psychosis, and de-stigmatizes discussions of mental health.
We aim to replace prejudice and discrimination with affirming attitudes and positive outcomes through support of our Pennsylvania First Episode Psychosis centers and the Coordinated Specialty Care model of treatment. Our role is to empower people experiencing early psychosis to take control of their treatment and, in turn, their lives.
In order to facilitate a collaborative learning health care system across the First Episode Psychosis (FEP) / Clinical High Risk (CHR) network in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, HeadsUp maintains a robust Steering Committee consisting of representatives of a diverse set of stakeholders including administrators, clinical staff, participants/patients, families, HeadsUp directors, and mental health advocacy groups.
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At this time HeadsUp does not have any openings. Check out our PA FEP Employment Opportunities page to find out about employment opportunities at our PA First Episode Psychosis Centers.
HeadsUp newsletters highlight some of the great work and important issues happening in early psychosis care in Pennsylvania. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT ISSUE or see the “read more” section to read through some of our past newsletters.
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In addition to our staff members, here are some important contributors that support our mission:
91% decrease in participant hospital days
School enrollment increased by 85% in those over age 18
76% decrease in homelessness
*at 24-month follow-up
Catherine (Cat) Conroy, M.Ed, Manager of HeadsUp
Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
10th floor, Gates Pavilion, HUP
3400 Spruce Street, Rm. 10054, Philadelphia, PA 19104
headsuppaorg@gmail.com
We are available during standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) to answer any questions you may have about our organization or to direct you to programs in Pennsylvania that can offer clinical help.
