Regional Early Intervention Program

The Regional Early Intervention Program (REIP) was established in February 2006 to help people in Northeastern Ontario who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis by helping them get access to the right treatment at the right time and in the right place. There is no cost to service users and their families.

Statistics show that through early intervention, approximately 80% of people experiencing an early episode of psychosis can recover within 6 months of starting treatment.   Alternatively, some of the consequences of delayed treatment are, slower and less complete recovery, poorer outcomes, and increased risk of depression, suicide, and hospitalization. .

The goal of REIP is to substantially reduce the need for inpatient care by facilitating early detection, responding to the early onset of the mental health issues and providing immediate relief so that the length of time the psychosis isn’t treated (duration of untreated psychosis) is reduced and hospital stays are avoided.

Early intervention is the key. With the appropriate treatment, the person can recover. Don’t be afraid to ask for help for yourself or someone you know.

Services

The Regional program will:

· provide education and training to professionals and community agencies;
· provide resources to users of the service, families and gatekeepers;
· provide support on a regional level to families of young people with psychosis;
· provide coaching and consultation to district clinicians.

Early intervention clinicians provide services for persons from 16-35 years of age who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis and who have not been treated for symptoms of psychosis for more than 12 months.

The District Clinician will:

· accept referrals, engage and screen
· provide in-depth assessment, treatment and intensive case management;
· provide information and education about psychosis and treatments;
· provide support for school or employment;
· provide family intervention and appropriate links with children’s services;
· support family initiatives.

Contact a clinician in your district.

Our Vision

To establish a system of support that will allow people experiencing an early episode of psychosis to proceed with their life goals and maximize opportunities for personal development.

Our Mission

The Regional Early Intervention Program strives to integrate two systems, district and regional, to create a specialty service using evidence-based best practices.  This service assists clients and their families to decrease the severity of the experience of psychosis and improve the capacity for optimal recovery.

Who can make a referral?

Referrals are accepted from the community-at-large, hospitals, general practitioners, mental health professionals, counsellors, social workers, family members or self-referrals directly to the early intervention clinician in your district.