Early Intervention in Psychiatric Disorders Across Cultures
Oxford Cultural Psychiatry Series

Evidence indicates a correlation between early intervention and improved response in psychiatric disorders. Yet the majority of evidence is from high-income countries, and there is a lack of evidence and resources on the impact of early intervention across cultures and in low- and middle-income countries. Early Intervention in Psychiatric Disorders across Cultures aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the evidence and methods of intervention in less affluent countries. It covers mood disorders, personality disorders, addictions, and other psychiatric conditions, whilst most research has focused on psychoses and bipolar disorder. Over 17 chapters, this resource guides the reader through an array of approaches to early intervention, from brain imaging and available care pathways, to cultural and societal factors. Part of the Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, this resource offers readers a picture of the current health care pathways available as well as social, cultural, and ethical considerations to apply in practice.

Professor Eric Y. H. Chen is Chi-Li Pao Foundation Chair Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Hong Kong. He has been leading the development of the early intervention for psychosis in Hong Kong (the EASY program is one of the first comprehensive early psychosis programs in Asia). Under his leadership, the HKU Psychosis Research Unit (PSI) has shown that early intervention produces better long-term outcome for patients with psychotic disorders. Professor Chen and his team has also been studying maintenance therapy in psychosis, demonstrating that after a first episode psychosis, early medication discontinuation and relapse may contribute to adverse long term outcome. Professor EChen and his team has also been studying brain mechanisms in schizophrenia, particularly language and cognitive processes. Professor Chen is one of the leaders in the field of early intervention. Dr Antonio Ventriglio is a psychiatrist working at the Department of Mental Health, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. Professor Dinesh Bhugra is Emeritus Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London. Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. President of the World Psychiatric Association for a three year term, 2014-2017. Non-Executive Director Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust (special interest in BAME needs and cultural mediation).