NYC START: A New Model for Securing Community Services for Individuals Hospitalized for First-Episode Psychosis

What is it about?

In 2014, the New York City Board of Health amended the City’s Health Code, requiring that hospitals report to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene when individuals aged 18 - 30 are hospitalized for a first episode of psychosis (FEP). This study describes the implementation of NYC START, a program that meets patients while hospitalized with FEP to offer a voluntary, 3-month critical time intervention Of the 285 clients who accepted NYC START services in 2016, 249 (87%) attended an initial mental health appointment after hospital discharge and 222 (78%) completed at least three months of the program The program has been well received by clients, as evidenced by high enrollment rates, with the vast majority of participants entering continuing mental health services prior to discharge from NYC START.

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