title: Early intervention in psychosis: a map of clinical and research initiatives in Latin America.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to review Latin America's early intervention services in psychosis and to shed light into their challenges and particularities.
  
  
  METHODS
  An internet-based search comprising medical societies' websites, published articles, and major universities' websites was conducted and the results were critically discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Latin American countries are profoundly deficient in specialized early intervention services. Our search found seven target services, four of which are based in urban areas of Brazil, inside tertiary hospitals or universities. Among the initiatives advanced by these centers, there are partnerships with the public educational system and other community-based efforts toward knowledge transfer. On the other hand, several challenges remain to be overcome, especially in relation to their expansion, which is necessary to match the existing demand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. elisabrietzke@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brietzke
authors.forename: Ary Gadelha
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Araripe Neto
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Rodrigo Barbachan
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: Rodrigo Affonseca
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bressan
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009313:National Health Programs; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012306:Risk; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*