The following is posted here with permission of the Vancouver Richmond Early Psychosis Intervention Program www.hopevancouver.com Please see the following link for a printable version: Supporting Students with Psychosis Return to School

Dispel myths and stigma

• Likelihood of violence is not greater in a student with psychosis.
• Keep hurtful words like ‘psycho’ or ‘crazy’ out of the classroom.

Remember that brain diseases cause psychosis

• Difficulties learning and socializing are often because of illness, rather than poor character, attitude, or parenting.
• Motivation, thinking, fitting in, confidence, and spontaneity are all affected
• Improvement will be gradual, with temporary set-backs.
• Allow for difficulties with concentration and thinking
• Reduce homework demands if possible, especially initially.
• Provide a quiet room and/or more time for exams.
• Allow the student enough time to respond to questions or instructions.
• Use varied instructional techniques and modalities.

Provide breaks

• Modify schedules, if possible, to allow for 1 or more study blocks.
• Find a low-stimulation ‘safe place’ where the student can take breaks.
• Strike a balance between encouraging the student to stay in the classroom and also providing a refuge if he or she is very overwhelmed or anxious.

Consider the effect of medications

• Most students will take psychiatric medications that are very helpful.
• Medication side-effects are often troublesome, usually lessening with time.
• Using gum or hard candy can help with dry mouth side-effects.
• Drowsiness may not be from late nights or lack of interest, but from side-effects. Suggest the student/family talk to their doctor if extreme drowsiness lasts for more than a few weeks.

Support re-integration

• Have a designated staff person, such as a counsellor or youth worker, check in with the student; do not expect the student to take the initiative.
• Anticipate that the student may be embarrassed about psychosis.
• Remind the student that he or she does not need to discuss the psychosis experience with everyone who asks; help the student with what to say to maintain privacy.
• Suggest that the student confide in trusted friends, if comfortable.