Help and care at an early stage

Large gain for society and the individual
There are many benefits in providing help, care and support at an early stage for individuals at risk for falling ill with psychosis and other types of mental diseases. Society can gain large economical benefits when a citizen can continue his or her ordinary life instead of being hospitalized, maybe for extensive periods of time. The benefit is perhaps even larger for the individual. A person who receives fast treatment is more likely to keep his psychosocial network, his participation in society and his self-esteem. It is; in other words, easier to keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues if the disease not goes on untreated for long periods. Also, a better contact often results in more help and support from people in the home environment.

There are several large international studies in this area. For example an Australian investigation has focused on how to identify and help individuals with an increased risk of falling ill with psychosis.

Increase the support to low-status neighborhoods!
In Cullberg«s opinion, society would benefit from increasing the support to individuals living in specific types of neighborhoods. Some new neighborhoods in the suburbs of large cities are stamped with "low status", e.g. individuals who are able to choose does not live in theses neighborhoods. Instead some populations are over represented in the low status neighborhoods, for example unemployed persons, immigrants, drug addicts and the mentally ill. This situation results in weak social networks. Increased support to these neighborhoods would have positive effects on the health for the citizens, Cullberg argues, and relates to his own research experiences from working in the suburbs of Stockholm.

- Build neighborhoods designed for humans, not for the needs of the industry! Integrate small units in the neighborhoods, where the citizens easily and without fuzz can receive psychosocial support. Last, but not least, provide sufficient resources to the school health care. The children need someone at school to talk to, someone who is able to see and acknowledge the needs of each child and who is able to provide adequate resources at an early stage.