Trillium Health Partners EPI program services to youth (14-35) who are experiencing what may be the early signs and symptoms of psychosis. The recovery focused program works to promote early identification and treatment of psychosis. The program helps individuals achieve their goals at work, at school and within their social networks, thereby reducing the impact of the psychosis can have on one’s life. Services include assessment and coordination of treatment, health education, case management, support and referrals to other services in the community by a multi-disciplinary team including a psychiatrist, nurses, social workers and occupational and recreational therapists and well as peer and addiction workers. The program, which has a specialization in psychosis and mood disorders, also works closely with individuals’ families, providing them with education and supportive counselling.
Identifying psychosis early has been shown to dramatically reduce the duration of the illness and the need for medication and hospital stays. Specialized early intervention helps people to get better faster and return to their regular lives more quickly. This is particularly important for teenagers and young adults, as psychosis can seriously disrupt the development of personal identity, the formation of relationships, and the ability to maintain work or study.
Program services include:
- Individualized medication treatment aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing relapses in order to help people achieve their desired goals.
- A family education program aimed at teaching families about psychosis and its treatment. This can help reduce relapse by monitoring early warning signs and encouraging medication adherence.
- Individual resiliency training aimed at helping patients achieve personal goals by identifying and developing strengths while teaching them about their illness and its treatment.
- Supported employment and education aimed at helping patients to develop education and employment goals related to their career interests and then supporting them to obtain jobs or enroll in educational programs.
Inclusion Criteria
Early psychosis intervention programs are intended to serve people between the ages of 14 and 35 who meet the following criteria:
- Are experiencing symptoms of a psychotic disorder, and
- Have received either no purposeful treatment for psychosis or 6 months or less of treatment for psychosis.
Exclusionary Criteria
- All patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be assessed for admission.
Referral Process
- Please complete and fax the Mental Health Internal Referral Form to 905-848-7357
- Case manager performs assessment interview with referral source and client to determine eligibility.
Resources for Patients and their Families
E.P.I.O.N Early Psychosis Intervention Ontario Network:
https://help4psychosis.ca
