At Risk Mental State (ARMS) for Psychosis

We are a mental health service offering support to people aged 14 to 35 who may be struggling with experiences like having unusual thoughts, feeling paranoid or hearing voices. We work with anyone who is registered with a GP in Essex.

Many people who have distressing unusual experiences find this can start to get in the way of education, employment or socialising. This early period is called an ‘At-Risk Mental State’. Getting support at this point can prevent a person from going on to develop a more serious mental health problem.

Our aim is to prevent people from needing more intensive support in the future.

Every person that we support is at the centre of all that we do and we try to understand what has led to the thoughts, feelings and behaviours being expressed.

We provide care and support to people who may have experienced:

• Feeling disconnected from the world and preferring to spend time alone.
• A feeling that things have changed in some way such as people or places seem strange or unfamiliar.
• Confused or muddled thinking.
• Being troubled by unusual ideas or thoughts which friends or family may find difficult to believe.
• Seeing, hearing or experiencing things other people do not.
• Struggling with daily life.

The most appropriate care and support will be discussed between you and the team to see what you feel you would benefit from.

The support we offer

Please see service leaflets for more information.

• Psychology assessment and treatment
• Family intervention and support
• Employment and education
• Recovery coordinator
• Peer support
• Occupational therapy assessment & treatment: only available in the South West Essex ARMS team

The ARMS leaflets for each team
South east Essex ARMS
South west Essex ARMS
Mid Essex ARMS
North east Essex ARMS - part of the Early Intervention Psychosis Team (EIP)
North west Essex ARMS

What to expect

If our service is for you, you will be invited to an assessment in a location close to home.

One of the team will meet with you to talk and understand of your experiences and how these make you feel. We may also ask about how other areas of your life are going to see whether we may be able to help.

The assessment may take place over more than one session. This is to make sure you have enough time to explain what has been happening. 

Some people may not be suitable for our service. If this is the case, we will work with you to make a plan that is more helpful to your needs. If we do think we are the most suitable service for you, we will work with you to make a plan of support for your next steps with us. Such as creating a personalised care package tailored to your needs and agreeing goals to work towards. 

Things you may find helpful

Voice Collective is a free service that supports young people, and their families, who may be having unusual experiences (hearing, seeing or sensing things that others do not). Their website provides information regarding unusual experiences, as well as peer support groups and an online community (Discord Peer Support Forum). https://www.voicecollective.co.uk/

Understanding Voices is another free service that can help people better understand the experiences of those who hear things that others do not, as well as finding ways to support them. https://understandingvoices.com/

Mid and south Essex referral process

Anyone can refer into us and self-referrals are welcomed.

There are two way to make a referral.

• Complete a referral form and email to epunft.msearms@nhs.net.
  • Mid Essex referral form
  • South East and South West Essex referral form
• Call the appropriate team’s duty line to discuss and complete the referral form over the phone. Please note this is monitored Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Referral criteria

• Aged between 14-35 years.
• Registered with GP in south east, south west or mid Essex.
• Some of the following might be appropriate for you:
  • Feeling disconnected from the world and preferring to spend time alone.
  • A feeling that things have changed in some way such as people or places seem strange or unfamiliar.
  • Confused or muddled thinking.
  • Being troubled by unusual ideas or thoughts which friends or family may find difficult to believe.
  • Seeing, hearing or experiencing things other people do not.
  • Struggling with daily life.
  • Having these experiences anywhere between once a month and for less than an hour each time to every day and more than an hour at a time.
  • Have a family member with psychosis or a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder

Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able work with you if you’ve already had treatment for psychosis. If you have a moderate to severe learning disability, we would do all we can to adapt our support but we may not be the most suitable team for you.

North east Essex and North west Essex referral process

We do not accept self referrals. Please contact your health care professional, such as your GP or primary care nurse.

For urgent support during out of hours

NHS 111 option 2 (24 hours, 7 days a week) for mental health support.

116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours

Under 18’s support:
Call 0800 953 0222 (9am-5pm)
Out of Hours Number: 0800 995 1000