Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Service

Description

Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) is an assertive outreach service that provides intensive follow-up to young people aged between 16 - 25 years (and their families/whānau) who are experiencing First Episode Psychosis and who live in the WDHB geographic area. EPI may be available for up to 3 years for young people aged under 18 at time of referral. Those 18 years and over, for up to 2 years.

The EPI Team is part of the Waitematā District Health Board’s District Mental Health Services.

The EPI Team uses a model called Early Intervention. This involves providing support, information and treatment to people as soon as possible after their first experience.

We are able to see you in our offices or at any other place you feel comfortable e.g. home, school or workplace.

What is Psychosis?

There are three main experiences people may have when experiencing psychosis:

Hallucinations - experiences that come through your senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) but don’t seem to have an external cause e.g. hearing voices when there isn’t anyone around or seeing things that others can’t see.
Delusions - strongly held beliefs you might have but that others around you would say were strange or unusual.
Disorganised thinking - can feel like you are thinking less clearly. It might be hard to concentrate, or it might be hard to put words together and you might not be sure if you are making sense.

Staff

Who Works on the EPI Team?

Community Nurses
As well as having a primary role as a key worker in the team, a community nurse has specific skills in:

administering and monitoring medication
monitoring side effects of medication
liaising between you and your doctor
assisting you with any physical health issues.

Māori Cultural Advisor
Māori cultural assessment and support may involve providing:

programmes that are based upon the four interacting dimensions of ‘Te Whare Tapa Wha’ (the traditional Māori health system):

- Taha wairua (spiritual health)
- Taha hinengaro (mental health)
- Taha tinana (physical health)
- Taha whānau (family health)

an understanding of what it means to be Māori
assistance accessing traditional Māori healing, cultural assessments, customary remedies and using Māori language in treatment if requested
family/whānau interventions in an environment based on Māori cultural values, customs and beliefs.

Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapy aims to help support people to be able to do the things they want or need to do. Occupational therapists might work with you around the following areas:

setting goals and supporting you to work towards these
developing leisure interests and roles
self-confidence, communication and stress management
work and study or training
living skills including cooking, budgeting, and transport
motivation, decision making and problem solving
using community supports and resources.

Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Registrars
A ‘psychiatrist’ is a doctor who, after basic medical qualifications, receives further training and develops the expertise to become a ‘specialist’ in identifying symptoms of, and diagnosing and treating, mental illnesses. You may have been referred to a psychiatrist if your doctor feels you need specialist help.

Along with other types of treatment, medication plays an important role in recovery from a psychotic episode and prevention of further episodes. There are a number of different types of medications that are effective in reducing the symptoms of psychosis, and the anxiety and stress these symptoms may cause.

Treatment usually starts with a low dose of medication and your doctor and key worker will give you and your family/whānau lots of information about the medication as well as potential side effects. The doctor will also monitor your physical health and provide oversight of your care. You might see the doctor weekly if you are in crisis but usually you will see them every one to three months.

Psychologists
Psychological interventions are mainly talking therapies that are based on psychological principles. The aim of these is to help you understand and/or change certain thoughts, feelings and behaviours in order to reduce distress and achieve greater life satisfaction. Some of the other psychological interventions are:

problem solving
stress management
dealing with the symptoms of psychosis
reducing low mood and anxiety
developing healthy coping strategies.

Social Workers
As well as having a primary role as a key worker in the team a social worker has specific skills to support you:

address your social needs and problems in the community around e.g. education, work and income, families and relationships
find appropriate accommodation in the community to meet your needs
address any barriers and inequalities you may face in your daily life.

Referral Expectations

Referrals must be made via a Community Mental Health Team. If you wish to make a referral to the EPI team please contact a Community Mental Health Team. Contact details for your local areas are as follows:

West Auckland Adult Mental Health Services (over age 18 years): ph (09) 822 8601

North Shore Adult Mental Health Services (over age 18 years): ph (09) 487 1400

Rodney Adult Mental Health Services (over age 18 years): ph (09) 427 0360

Marinoto North CAMHS, Youth (under age 18 years): ph (09) 489 0555

Marinoto West CAMHS, Youth (under age 18 years): ph (09) 822 8666

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Free

Fees and Charges Description

The EPI Team offers a free service for New Zealand residents. You may be asked to contribute a small amount of money as part of some groups.

Hours

Closed today.

Mon – Fri	8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Programmes

+ Refine

EPI Groups

EPI offers a number of groups, though the most consistent group is RAP (Recovery After Psychosis) that is run each week. This is a social and recreational group that offers a range of activities such as education about healthy eating/healthy lifestyles, cooking skills, bush/beach walks, anxiety management, mini-golf, laser strike, badminton, 10-pin bowling, juggling, gym exercise. Please see the leaflet about this group or talk to your key worker. Other groups run at different times over the year include: Family/Whānau Skills training: Held once or twice a year, on a Saturday, this provides an opportunity for families to learn about psychosis and to support each other in working out ways to best support their recovering family/whānau member. Topics cover: what is psychosis? medication, the impact of drugs and alcohol on psychosis, recovery and the future, and skills and strategies to help with difficult situations. We sometimes run other groups i.e. Women's Group; Family Support Group; ACT Acceptance and Commitment Group – please ask your key worker.

Programme Areas: Mental health
Programme Type: Mental health assessment and treatment, Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support
Regions: North Auckland, West Auckland
Age Groups: Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke
Referral Types: DHB clinical services

Referral Process

Referrals to EPI must be made via a Community Mental Health Team. If you wish to make a referral to the EPI team please contact a Community Mental Health Team.

Description

EPI offers a number of groups, though the most consistent group is RAP (Recovery After Psychosis) that is run each week. This is a social and recreational group that offers a range of activities such as education about healthy eating/healthy lifestyles, cooking skills, bush/beach walks, anxiety management, mini-golf, laser strike, badminton, 10-pin bowling, juggling, gym exercise. Please see the leaflet about this group or talk to your key worker.

Other groups run at different times over the year include:

Family/Whānau Skills training:
Held once or twice a year, on a Saturday, this provides an opportunity for families to learn about psychosis and to support each other in working out ways to best support their recovering family/whānau member. Topics cover: what is psychosis? medication, the impact of drugs and alcohol on psychosis, recovery and the future, and skills and strategies to help with difficult situations.

We sometimes run other groups i.e. Women's Group; Family Support Group; ACT Acceptance and Commitment Group – please ask your key worker.

The Bach

Young people involved with EPI have access to the Bach respite facility, located near the North Shore. This is a home-like environment where young people can stay overnight i.e. planned 'social' respite, for a period of time, as negotiated with your case manager who will discuss with the EPI Manager. In addition there is an opportunity to attend a day stay if you are not wanting overnight, though there is limited availability for this. Transport to and from the day stay is available as required.

Programme Areas: Mental health
Programme Type: Respite
Regions: North Auckland, West Auckland
Age Groups: Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke
Referral Types: DHB clinical services

Referral Process

The Bach is accessible to young people involved with EPI.

Referrals to EPI must be made via a Community Mental Health Team. If you wish to make a referral to the EPI team please contact a Community Mental Health Team.

Description

Young people involved with EPI have access to the Bach respite facility, located near the North Shore. This is a home-like environment where young people can stay overnight i.e. planned 'social' respite, for a period of time, as negotiated with your case manager who will discuss with the EPI Manager. In addition there is an opportunity to attend a day stay if you are not wanting overnight, though there is limited availability for this. Transport to and from the day stay is available as required.