Implementing Coordinated Specialty Care in CMHC Youth and Young Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Preliminary Outcome Assessment.

This study assessed impact of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC), expanded to include both first episode psychosis (FEP) and severe mental health disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, trauma) in youths attending Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). Eligible youth and young adults (ages 16-26 years, N = 201) were recruited from two CMHCs and assessed every 6 months. Paired sample t-tests were performed comparing pre- and post-treatment observations. Statistically significant decreases from pre to post were found in sad and anxious feelings and in days hospitalized for psychiatric emergency and increases were found in subjective health ratings and employment status. This preliminary assessment supports the effectiveness of expanded inclusion criteria for participation in the CSC model.