Early Intervention in Psychosis, Voyage to Recovery 2023

The Voyage to Recovery - YouTube

Headroom is an Early intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service within Cardiff and Vale University Health board. Headroom supports individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis between the ages of 14-25. 

This project is a collaboration between EIP services across the NHS, and the Cirdan Sailing Trust. It aims to offer young people who have experienced psychotic disorders an opportunity to participate in a sailing voyage circumnavigating the UK. Each leg will last 5-6 days, and will involve 10 young people and up to 5 staff from a participating EIP service, so that over the duration of the voyage up to 100 young people will participate, covering around 1500 nautical miles at sea. All the young people involved are being cared for in specialist EIP NHS services.

Psychotic disorders are among the most serious mental health problems, and this population of young people is at high risk of developing long term disorders with very substantial personal and societal costs. EIP services have been developed in recent years specifically to reduce these risks by offering optimal psychosocial and medical interventions in the ‘window of opportunity’ in the early stages of illness. As this approach has evolved, there has been an increasing focus on promoting physical health, personal growth, and social inclusion through active psychosocial interventions.

The Voyage

The young people will be sailing Faramir a 22m, fast sailing yacht, purpose built for sail training. Sailing long distances in her involves plenty of physical effort and teamwork : raising, lowering, and handling the sails; hauling on ropes; steering, keeping a constant lookout and learning how to navigate; cooking, cleaning and everyday boat
maintenance. Learning key skills for life.

Many of the young people on this voyage have everyday lives which are restricted by their situation and social circumstances, with limited opportunity for new experiences which allow growth and self-development. Most mental health care focusses on trying to change the individual’s problems – to reduce symptoms with medication, or to improve psychological adjustment with therapy. This project
aims to address the situational factors which keep people stuck in their life situation and in services, by providing a radically different environment in which it is possible to develop confidence, new skills, engage in physical health promotion and a fresh perspective on life ashore

Each leg of the voyage will involve 10 young people, with four leaders from their local EIP services, and three permanent crew, who teach the young people to sail the boat themselves. The young people have had early experiences of psychosis, and are being supported by NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services across Wales, and Hafal recovery practitioners. Staff from these services are on board as the group leaders and they are able to provide therapeutic support and interventions. They will also address difficulties if they arise, and will continue after the voyage to work with the young people in consolidating the benefits of this experience.

The project hopes to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by young people with early psychosis, of their potential for achievement and illustrates the importance of having effective EIP services, using an innovative approach and the aspiration to draw on the potential of the unique landscape and coast of the country for health benefits.

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