ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the concept of early intervention (EI), the effectiveness of the model and the nurse’s role in delivering high fidelity care. Health professionals, particularly mental health nurses in EI services, are best placed to use their skills and expertise in supporting and providing care to individuals and the supportive systems around them, such as family, friends, schools and other community groups, during this crucial time. Early engagement is the most important initial therapeutic goal in early intervention. A nurse’s ability to assess and provide interventions to an individual is very much dependent on engaging the individual and the significant people in their lives. The broad aims and activities of EI services are prevention, detection, early intervention, improved treatment, relapse prevention and onward care-pathway connections. The nurse has a role in developing and delivering various interventions across these aims.
