Community Engagement

The UMass Psychotic Disorders Program has developed the Community Intervention Program (CIP) with the mission of creating a more mindful Worcester by providing various supports and informational opportunities for those invested in the mental wellness of our communities. The CIP is specifically committed to addressing the needs of those affected by a severe mental illness, who particularly rely on community-based wellness resources. In addition to professional education and training, the CIP includes three public education and intervention modules.

The Lifestyle as Medicine module is for individuals to establish healthy lifestyle changes via recovery and support-based discussions and activities with a focus on making healthy food choices and increasing physical activity.

(The picture above features some of the participant-chefs at one of our seasonal cooking workshops we hosted at the Genesis Club in Worcester.)

The Arts and Music module is for individuals to harness and express their creative abilities and talents while offering a platform for social interaction via art or music therapy groups, and Dual Diagnosis Theatre drama therapy.

(The picture above depicts the wonderful works of art produced by the participants of our first guided-imagery paint therapy event.)

The Early Detection and Intervention module presents an opportunity for young individuals exhibiting early signs of psychosis to collaborate with mental health care providers to improve access to treatment options.

(The photo above was taken at an education event we hosted at Assumption College for student counselors from local colleges on the importance of early psychosis detection and screening.)