About EDIPPP

While the causes of severe mental illness are still not perfectly understood, the scale of the problem – for adolescents, their families and friends, communities and society at large – is increasingly clear:

• Approximately 3% of youth and young adults in America will develop schizophrenia or a severe psychotic mood disorder (with most cases developing after age 12)
• An estimated 12 to 15% of people suffering from psychosis complete suicide
• Living with severe mental illness can lead to lower academic achievement, dropping out of school, substance abuse, unemployment, isolation and other negative factors that keep adolescents and young adults from achieving their full potential.

That’s why, in April 2007, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched the Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP). A research treatment initiative with an ambitious goal, EDIPPP is working to prevent psychotic illnesses among adolescents and young adults.

Right now, in six communities around the country, EDIPPP is building the evidence on how to stop the progression of severe mental illness in its tracks. Along with this evidence, EDIPPP is also building a nationwide alliance of practitioners, policy makers, advocacy groups, schools, the community, and others to change minds, change lives and transform how we address severe mental illness – for good.

Together we can advance mental health services and provide greater opportunity for young people and their families to live healthy, rewarding and productive lives.