Coordinated Specialty Care

Treatment for early serious mental illness

When a young person is impacted by unexpected changes in their thinking and perceptions, it can get in the way of everyday activities, make school or work difficult, affect relationships, and interrupt life goals and dreams.

These changes, sometimes referred to as early serious mental illness or first episode psychosis, are unique to each individual.

Serious mental illnesses include bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. 

Common symptoms of early serious mental illness or first episode psychosis include extreme distrust of others; fixation with false beliefs; jumbled thoughts and speech; seeing, hearing, or feeling things other don't, and strange thoughts or views.

Coordinated Specialty Care—or CSC—offers a path to recovery.

A proven way to support young people

Providers of Coordinated Specialty Care connect people ages 15 to 25 to supports in their community dedicated to helping participants move past their mental health challenges. It is an approach based on the latest science of what works for people experiencing an early serious mental illness or first episode psychosis.

Personalized services

Coordinated Specialty Care is a comprehensive set of services guided by the goals and preferences of the participant. Care coordinators ensure services are delivered as desired. The services may include help:

• Considering strategies to manage a mental illness, like medications.
• Sorting out life concerns.
• Discovering new skills.
• Staying in school or getting back to school.
• Getting and keeping a job.

Health and wellness benefits for all

Young people, providers, and communities all benefit from Coordinated Specialty Care.

• Targeted outreach. Coordinated Specialty Care providers work with schools, clinics, hospitals, and other organizations serving young people to educate the community on the signs of early serious mental illness and how to get help as soon as possible.
• Rapid access. Coordinated Specialty Care providers aim to get young people identified as a good fit for services help quickly.
• Care coordination. Coordinated Specialty Care services are tailored to the participant's unique needs with these needs managed by a person dedicated to monitoring the progress of the participant.
• Proactive engagement. Coordinated Specialty Care providers meet participants where they are at in the community to create an accessible, safe, and comfortable treatment environment.
• Small caseloads. Coordinated Specialty Care providers are able to develop connections with participants and understand their interests, goals, and dreams while meeting their complex care needs.
• 24/7 access. Coordinated Specialty Care participants can contact professionals trained in supporting people with mental health concerns at any time.
• Cost savings. One year of support through Coordinated Specialty Care is about half the cost of one inpatient hospitalization for a mental health concern.

For more information

Select the option that applies to you to learn more about Coordinated Specialty Care and the resources available for participants and providers.