Program Description
EPI stands for Early Psychosis Intervention and the program consists
of three parts.
- It is a special type of health care service that provides the
best assistance available to young people who have recently developed
psychosis.
- EPI provides education to a wide variety of people, including
other mental health professionals, schools, community agencies
and the general public.
- The program is also committed to evaluation and research in
order to understand more about psychosis and to improve treatment.
Most early psychosis intervention programs are hospital-based,
adding community outreach as the program grows. The EPI Program
of the Fraser South area of British Columbia, Canada (part of the
Lower Mainland of Vancouver), has developed a community-based approach
that links with hospital psychiatry. Our unique approach provides
a full range of clinical services to both adolescents and young
adults, and their families.
Our mission:
To improve the mental health and quality of life of young people
with psychosis by promoting early identification and providing optimal
interventions as soon as possible.
Our vision:
Psychosis is Treatable. Recovery is Expected.
What clients and families can expect from EPI
EPI provides a range of services including medication management;
education (individual and group); stress management and support;
relapse prevention; along with assistance with other needs such
as education, work, housing, drug misuse, etc.
Another very important aspect of the Fraser South EPI Program is
increasing knowledge about the challenges of psychosis. Virtually
everyone who enters EPI will be asked to participate in research
projects. By doing research, we hope to help people get better faster,
more completely and to stay well. Of course, participation in research
is completely voluntary and refusing to participate will not affect
treatment.
The
communities we serve
Fraser South EPI operates in Surrey, Langley, Delta, and White
Rock, in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. EPI's
main office is located at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, BC.
EPI mental health clinicians and psychiatrists who have received
early psychosis training work at every mental health centre in the
four communities. EPI group sessions are held in various community
locations.
Our
Service Delivery Model
The Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Program is a collaborative
initiative between the Fraser Health Authority and the Fraser Region
Ministry of Children and Family Development, Child and Youth Mental
Health. The program serves young people between the ages of 13 -
35 years with early psychosis, and their families. The program bridges
youth and adult mental health services, as well as hospital and
community.
The EPI Program aims to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis
by promoting early identification of psychosis, and establishing
regional resources and enhancing mental health services for young
people with suspected and first episode psychosis. A primary goal
is rapid engagement, and access to assessment and treatment in order
to shorten the length of time between emerging symptoms and intervention.
Treatment for early psychosis follows evidence based best practices
and is standardized across the health area. There are several components
of the EPI Program, which include a comprehensive range of clinical
services, community education and research services.
Clinical services include case finding; single entry intake; assessment,
treatment and case management for young people with first episode
psychosis, and supportive services to family members; group intervention
for adults, adolescents, and family members; family intervention;
vocational counselling, assessment and monitoring for young people
at high risk for developing psychosis. Clinical services are provided
by psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, clinical social
workers and Masters' level therapists. Treatment includes
the use of low dose, atypical antipsychotic medication, education
and psychosocial/psychological treatment.
In the Fraser South, the structure of service delivery includes
two teams providing services: the EPI Central Team, and the Community
Team (see diagram).
The Hub and Spoke model
The
EPI Program model includes:
a) a multidisciplinary central team providing a single point
of intake, assessment and intervention, consultation, education,
evaluation and research services
AND
b) in the four communities of the health area, early psychosis
clinicians and psychiatrists providing clinical services
In order to support case finding and early intervention, community
education is an ongoing and essential component of the EPI Program.
Education is aimed at mental health professionals, gatekeepers in
the community at large and the general public, in the identification
and recognition of early psychosis. Educational content includes
information on the signs and symptoms that may indicate psychosis,
potential benefits of early intervention, suitable treatments and
the referral process to the EPI Program.
The EPI Program conducts ongoing outcome research and program evaluation.
Research also includes funded projects conducted by the EPI Central
Team, and in collaboration with university affiliated research studies.
Referrals
to the EPI Program
Referrals to the EPI Program can be made by anyone, including
mental health professionals, general physicians, community agencies,
school counsellors and family members.
Criteria for referral to the EPI Program include:
Persons ages 13 - 35 years who have a suspected or first episode
psychosis.
A. First Episode Psychosis
- Acute symptoms of psychosis (i.e., hallucinations, delusions,
disorganized speech or behaviour)
B. Attenuated/Transient Psychotic Symptoms
Changes in behaviour, thoughts and emotions, such as:
- Possible hallucinations
- A change in perception of objects (things looking or sounding
different) or misinterpretation of events (feeling suspicious
of others at times)
- Developing odd thoughts that seem out of keeping with the person
C. Family History Group
- Young people who have a relative with a psychotic disorder
(parent or sibling)
AND
- A recent deterioration in the ability to cope with life events
and stressors (expressed as poor concentration, decreased motivation,
withdrawal from family and friends, depression or anxiety)
Drug use does not disqualify from referral, if in combination with
the above criteria.
If you would like to make a referral to the EPI Program and live
in Surrey, Delta, Langley, or White Rock, please call 604-538-4278. |
