Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre
The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) works with young people with psychotic disorders. These disorders can cause acute distress and confusion in a young person, as well as for family, friends and professionals. EPPIC aims to facilitate early identification and treatment of psychosis and therefore reduce the disruption to the young person’s functioning and psychosocial development. There can be an extended period of delay in accessing appropriate treatment and during this time problems can intensify. These delays may be damaging to a young person, often in the crucial period of adolescence. Maturation is sometimes put on hold, social and family relationships are strained or severed and vocational prospects are derailed. Secondary problems such as substance abuse, unemployment and behavioural problems may develop or intensify and the illness itself may become more deeply entrenched.
Service Options
- Case management
- Home visits
- Assessment of mental state and risk
- Specialised treatments, including psychological therapy and medication
- Neuropsychological and occupational therapy interventions
- Referral and liaison with other community agencies (eg. employment services)
- Regular contact and support of families and carers
- Educating the young person and family about the illness
- Supporting the young person during their recovery
Treatment Goals
- Early identification and treatment of primary symptoms of psychotic illness
- Improved access and reduced delays in initial treatment
- Reducing frequency and severity of relapse
- Reducing risk of other health related problems developing
- Reducing disruption to social and vocational functioning
- Promote well-being among family members and carers