Jason Russell [credit]

Remember this guy? Jason Russell was the man of the moment in 2012. He was the brainchild behind the “KONY 2012” internet campaign that took the internet by storm in late 2012. So much so that the documentary video uploaded to YouTube had been seen over 100 million times in less than 6 days. (1)

The campaign was designed to make the Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony “famous” worldwide in an attempt to have the powers that be arrest him and hold him accountable for the war crimes and crimes against humanity that the International Criminal Court has indicted him of.  (2)

Unfortunately, Jason is much better known for events that occurred just 10 days after the campaign went viral, where he basically appeared to undergo a very public meltdown “naked” on the streets of San Diego; of which footage can be easily accessed online.  It transpired later that Jason had suffered from a Brief Psychotic Disorder; also known as Brief Reactive Psychosis.

 Jason himself acknowledges that he “lost control of his mind and body” and described the ordeal as an “out of body” experience and puts the experience down to the intense “mental, emotional and physical” stress he had been under in the build up to the start of the KONY 2012 campaign. (3) He also is quick to point out the benefits of the #HELP he received and how it was essential in him being able to resume a normal life after the event.  (3)

Events like this only go to emphasise the fact that a psychotic episode can happen to anybody, anywhere, anytime; and it’s essential that people are aware of this fact and are able to acknowledge the reality and seek the #HELP that they require.

As Jason Russell quotes Victor Hugo at the onset of the KONY 2012 documentary, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come,” (4) I put it to you that the time has come to speak out about mental health issues such as psychosis, increase their awareness, break through the stigma and provide easy access to #HELP for all who need it.

This is the interview of Jason Russell by Oprah Winfrey in her show after Jason's recovery.

References:

(1) Grossman, S. “‘Kony 2012′ Documentary Becomes Most Viral Video in History”. Time [Internet]. 2012 March 12 [cited 15 March 2015.] Available from: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/12/kony-2012-documentary-becomes-most-viral-video-in-history/

 

 (2) Myers, Julia "A call for justice". Kentucky Kernel [Internet]. 2012 March 7 [cited 15 March 2015.] Available from: http://kykernel.com/2012/03/07/a-call-for-justice/.

(3) Williams, M. “Kony 2012 campaigner Jason Russell: 'I wasn't in control of my mind or body'”. The Guardian [Internet]. 2012 Ocotber 8 [cited 15 March 2015.] Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/08/kony-2012-jason-russell-interview-nbc.

(4) Sweetman, J.E. Kony 2012: Controversial Messengers. [cited 15 March 2015.] In: Wordpress [Internet] Available from: https://johnsweetman.wordpress.com/kony-2012-controversial-messengers/

This is one of the many places you can get help from. These are the infos about detect.ie:

Detect: The earlier the better [credit]

DETECT (Dublin East Treatment and Early Care Team)

WHO: An organization composed of a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals with expertise in helping individuals with psychosis and their families.

WHAT: A service for individuals experiencing first episode psychosis and their families.

WHERE: Catchment areas of Cluain Mhuire, Elm Mount, Newcastle and St John of God Hospital services. Pilot for early intervention in South County Dublin and Wicklow.

 

Where can u go? [credit: Google Maps]

WHEN: The earlier the better. On average, psychosis goes untreated for 1-2 years; to maximize outcomes, seek out services early either yourself or with the help of family and friends.

HOW: Delivery of services at the earliest possible opportunity that are tailored to suit the individual needs of the person and their family. Accessed via your GP.

Rapid Assessment	Public Education	Professional Education	Psychological Interventions	Family Interventions
·    Trained Clinician ·    Response within 72 hours ·    Individual and Family ·    Flexible Location	·    Media ·    Educational Campaigns	·    Identify Warning Signs ·    Encourage youth to seek early treatment ·    Enhance awareness ·    Clear guidelines	·    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ·    Occupational Therapy	·    Carer Education ·    Advice and Discussion ·    Courses Every 2 Months

WHY: The first 3 - 5 years after the onset of psychosis is known as the "critical period". The objective of early intervention during this period is recovery. Recovery can be broken into (1) the remission of symptoms and (2) recovery in areas like work, leisure and self confidence. Interventions to maximise recovery in the early phase of psychosis are offered in early interventions services. These include psychological and family programmes.

References: 

1. Detect.ie,. 'Detect Psychosis And Mental Health Services'. N.p., 2015. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.
2. Saraceno, B. (2004) Early Psychosis Declaration of the World Health Organisation and International Early Psychosis Association. Bristol:UK. 3. Jackson, HJ, McGorry, P (Eds.) The recognition and management of early psychosis: A preventive approach. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

If you think that you or someone close to you is experiencing the signs and symptoms outined in our previous posts, What comes next are:

• make contact with their GP, either through arranging an appointment or a home visit. Topics that can be expected in a consultation can include how long these symptoms have been going on for, how have they progressed, how are they affecting your daily function, and whether there is any stressors or substance use in the past which may have a pertinent effect especially in the case of younger people.  Speaking to a medical professional about this can be an emotional experience, so lots of support should be shown at this time. 

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• The GP may then decide to refer you to a Mental Health Clinic or service such as DETECT; where a multidisciplinary team will conduct a more formal diagnostic interview to clarify whether there is a psychosis and if so under which category. Early detection and rapid assessment means that options for interventional treatment plans happen as soon as possible.

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• Some care options that may be considered include: 

1. implementing a medication plan
2. outpatient community care
3. liaising with your own GP
4. inpatient care
5. education for family members and friends
6. access to cognitive behavioural therapy and psychosocial counselling

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Someone close have psychosis? Now you know what to do!
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If someone has psychosis and does not get treatment for a long time,they are more likely to develop longer-term problems. This can include becoming unwell again or having problems with relationships or being able to work or study.

This makes it important to try and get medical help for someone if you think they are developing psychosis or a psychotic illness. Getting help sooner rather than later can:

• Improve how quickly and how much a person recovers

• Reduce the likelihood of becoming unwell again or admission to hospital

• Reduce time lost from work, school or college

• Reduce stress on family and friends

Good friends are hard to find. Be one yourselves. Help your friend!
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Imagine how you would feel in your friend, relative or loved one’s situation. Remember that they might feel sensitive, anxious,frightened or confused.

• Remember they may feel you are ‘getting at them’. Be calm,sympathetic and tactful.

• Raise the subject when you are both relaxed and have time.

• Stress, anxiety or other symptoms seem to be making it difficult for them to cope as well as usual, and that a doctor could help.

• You can go along with them to an appointment to support them.

• Many mental health problems can be easily treated. They might be worried they will have to go to hospital, but this is usually unlikely if they get treatment.

• GP notes are confidential. This means that information they share with the doctor can’t be passed onto anyone else unless they agree to it.