Early Psychosis Integrated Care (EPIC)

EPIC is a specialised clinical mental health service for adolescents and young adults aged 15–24.  We also work closely with their family and carers. EPIC focuses on providing a support service to young people who are experiencing an early psychosis which is adapted to their individual needs. The service aims to provide proactive treatment where we can meet the young person in their own community. The service also aims to minimise the stigma associated with psychosis, and the impact of distress and trauma on the young person and their family system.

EPIC has a particular focus on reducing the impact psychosis can have on a young person’s day to day functioning, including on their psychological, social and occupational areas. The service does this by enhancing early recognition and timely appropriate treatment for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Usually, young people may also present with other conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance use.

The aim of EPIC is to support the young person to return to their normal developmental and functional pathway as early as possible. The team will work alongside the young person and their social networks including family, friends, peers and service providers to empower them to build and shape their own support based on their needs. Care is flexible and the team will reach out and provide intensive care coordination with a frequency appropriate to the early psychosis phase of care for the young person. Care is continuous and predictable.

Services

Specialist evidence-based interventions will include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment and treatment centred around enhancing well-being and psychosocial functioning
• A range of integrated therapeutic recovery-focused interventions aiming to reduce distress and severity of symptoms, and increase resilience
• Support towards remission from symptoms of psychosis (and other mental illness the young person may be experiencing)
• Maintaining and enhancing physical health, e.g. lifestyle-based supports (such as diet, exercise, oral health, and sexual health) and a holistic approach to multi-morbidities (the existence of two or more long term conditions in a single person at the same time)
• Supporting families and carers, e.g. psychoeducation to develop a shared understanding of their experience of psychosis including treatment options.

Referral procedure

• Ages 15–18 telephone the Child and Youth Mental Health Service 07 4433 9004
• Ages 18–24 telephone the Acute Care Team 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 2255)

Useful resources

Acute Care Team

Headspace Townsville

Carers Queensland

Arafmi

Medicare Mental Health

Contact Details

Location:
Kirwan Health Campus
138 Thuringowa Drive
Kirwan Qld 4817

Postal Address:
IMB 92
PO Box 1596
Thuringowa Central

Ph: (07) 4433 9004
Fax: + 61 7 4433 9001

24/7 Crisis assistance and support
Mental Health Intake and Referral:
Ph: 1300MH CALL (1300 64 2255)

24/7 Alcohol and Drug Information Service:
Ph: 1800 177 833

In a life-threatening emergency:
Telephone triple zero (000) or 112 from mobiles

Related Links

Queensland Health - Mental Health home page
Mental Health Act 2016
Caring for somebody with a mental illness
Find a mental health service