Early Intervention in Psychosis services (EIPS) have been developed across the UK
to work with young people who have had a first episode of psychosis. This vulnerable group
of young people is hard to engage in mainstream services, and at high risk of developing long
term mental health problems. EIPS aim to provide a flexible and comprehensive mental
health service targeted at this population, providing medical, psychological and social
support and intervention, with a focus on recovery and staying well.

It can be reasoned though, that a life event as impactful as psychosis, requires an equally immense intervention.

Adventure therapy aims to help young people by providing opportunities to experience
themselves and others differently, away from their ‘normal’ environment in which their
problems are embedded and maintained. It aims to nurture personal growth by offering
novelty, excitement and engaging activities, ideally in beautiful natural environments, with
active support. It offers new challenges and adversities, which can usually be overcome
through resilience, shared effort and mutual support. The experience of coping with new
and potentially scary situations as part of a group is potent in developing a sense of personal
competence and social connection. For young people who struggle to engage in more
conventional therapies, it provides opportunities to talk through difficulties with an external focus in activity
which takes some of the pressure off the interaction.

A total environmental shift is involved in living at sea on a sailing
boat, away from the land and its associated stressors.

Adventure therapy was first used in the North Wales EIPS as a way of addressing each of
these issues, and utilising the beautiful natural environment of Snowdonia to help the
process of recovery in collaboration with the Cirdan Sailing Trust.

Please watch the North Wales' story.

https://youtu.be/WtpaZeh_bdE