What is iHOPE?
iHOPE (Helping Others Pursue Excellence) is a specialized team-based program that provides early intervention services for youth and young adults with or at risk of symptoms of psychosis. This program serves young people between 15-30 years old. Early intervention and support can increase the possibility of continuing with school, work, and full meaningful lives in the community.
What is Psychosis?
It involves the loss of contact with reality. A psychotic episode occurs when a person is unable to tell the difference between what is real and what is just in their minds. There are significant changes in the person's thoughts, beliefs, perceptions and behaviors. They may experience hallucinations such as hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and/or feeling things that aren't there; or experience delusions. These experiences can feel very real and distressing and can make it difficult to carry on with regular life tasks such as school, work, or relationships.
What does iHOPE Offer?
An intensive team - based program that includes various support options. All services and supports are provided to the young person based on their interests and needs and can include:
- Peer Support
- Employment and Education Support
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Case Management
- Medication Management
- Family Groups to Learn Skills and Support Each Other
![](https://www.taylrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cupping-hands-gesture-bw-1024x683.png)
iHOPE supports young people with or at risk of psychosis and their families.
Additional Referral Guidelines
- Psychosis symptoms lasting no longer than 12 months
- IQ over 70
- Not already receiving treatment for psychosis
- Symptoms not known to be caused by a medical condition or drug use
![](https://www.taylrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-people-holding-hands-together-with-love-warmth-wooden-table-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Other Possible Symptoms
- Trouble reading or understanding complex sentences
- Trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying
- Becoming easily confused or lost
- Trouble in sports or other activities that used to be easy
- Attendance problems related to sleep or fearfulness
- Extreme fear for no apparent reason
- Uncharacteristic actions or statements that make no sense
- Impulsive and reckless behavior - giving away all belongings
- New, bizarre beliefs
- Incoherent or bizarre writing
- Extreme social withdrawal
- Decline in appearance and hygiene
- Dramatic changes in sleep: sleeping much of the day or very little
- Dramatic changes in eating behavior
- Fear that others are trying to hurt them
- Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch
- Making statements like “my brain is playing tricks on me”
- Hearing voices or other sounds that others don’t
- Visual changes - colors more intense, faces distorted, lines wavy
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling like someone is putting thoughts into their head or reading thoughts
For more information about iHOPE please contact your local provider
iHOPE Programs – July 2024
Four Rivers
Communicare
Pathways
Cumberland River
LifeSkills
Seven Counties
Mountain
New Vista
Four Rivers
415 Broadway
Paducah, KY 42001
270.442.7121
Communicare
1311 North Dixie
Elizabethtown KY 42701
270.769.1304 x1135
Pathways
3701 Landsdowne Drive
Ashland, KY 41102
606.324.3005
Cumberland River
260 Valley View Lane PO Box 758
London, KY 40456
606.256.2129 x121
LifeSkills
330 East 10th Avenue
Bowling Green, KY 42104
270.901.5000 x1167
Seven Counties
914 E. Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
502.589.4673 x2625
Mountain
104 South Front Avenue
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
606.886.8572 x4551
New Vista
1351 Newtown Pike
Lexington KY 40511
859.457.4779
See iHOPE in Action
iHOPE is changing the way services are delivered. Watch the video to learn how LifeSkills iHOPE provides information and support to young people experiencing symptoms of psychosis for the first time.