Lisa Pryor manages to confuse several issues when questioning the development of Headspace and EPPIC-like mental health services across Australia (‘Minds at Risk’, July). Clearly there are controversies about ‘early intervention’ for patients who are presenting with symptoms that suggest the future development of psychosis. This, however, is a quite different issue from the development of services for young people with psychosis or with other mental health problems. It is a pity that at a time when the needs of patients with mental health problems are finally being recognised that debates arise in which there is such a basic confusion of ideas.

Professor Paul Fitzgerald

Monash University, VIC