Early Psychosis Intervention

Mental illness often occurs in the late teens and early twenties. Research has demonstrated better outcomes for people with a mental illness if they are treated effectively at the onset of the symptoms. The goal of Coast’s early psychosis intervention program is to help people function in school or work, learn life skills and learn to self- mange their illness so that they can reduce the reoccurrence of severe episodes of illness. With early intervention people have a better opportunity of recovery.

Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPI)

In addition to Coast’s direct service, the staff will be working with Vancouver Coastal Health’s Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program. EPI is a key part of helping youth to lead a life that is as functional as possible.

In total Coast will have ten beds in two different homes dedicated to people in the EPI program. Attached to these facilities and staffing will be an additional ten people who have apartments in market housing which are called supported independent living units (SIL’s). Most of the residents are between 16 and 18 but the program allows for young adults up to 28-years of age.

What is Psychosis?

The word "psychosis" is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, in which there has been some loss of contact with reality. When someone experiences symptoms of psychosis, their condition is referred to as a psychotic episode. "First episode" psychosis simply means that an individual is experiencing psychosis for the first time.

Psychosis affects an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. The manner in which it is manifested varies widely, such that two individuals experiencing psychosis may have very different symptoms. It is a component of normal human experience and of several distinct mental and physical disorders.

Who Experiences Psychosis?

Approximately 3% of all individuals experience an episode of psychosis in their lifetime
Approximately 1% experience schizophrenia
Psychosis affects males and females equally
First episodes of psychosis generally develop in young people in their late teens to mid-twenties
Psychosis occurs across cultures and levels of socioeconomic status

Some of the above information was produced by Mental Health Evaluation and Community Consultation Unit (MHECCU), the contractor for the Early Psychosis Initiative (EPI) of British Columbia. MHECCU is a division of Community Psychiatry, University of British Columbia. This and other information can be found on www.hopevancouver.com