Grant: Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI)

The onset of a mental illness in young adulthood can have consequences for educational achievement, career opportunities, relationships, and a young person's sense of self. Given these consequences, the importance of early intervention for a first episode psychosis is critical. Early intervention programs are effective. However, the question of how to best support recovery moving from early psychosis programs to discharge to the community is concerning. Research shows that the gains made in early intervention programs are lost once care is transferred to the community. To the best of our knowledge, there are no intervention studies that address ideal follow-up care in primary health care settings following discharge. The challenge is to determine how best to continue with the progress made in early intervention programs. Our research proposes to develop and evaluate an intervention to support the recovery process for youth experiencing psychosis, as they move from specialized services to primary care services. These interventions include two proven approaches: Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy that assist clients to manage their illness and recovery. A Transitions Coach will also work closely with youth and their family, health professionals and peer supports by acting a resource. The youth will also be involved in a Transition Recovery Eight Week Group to help with challenges. Youth will be divided into two groups. The first group will have 180 participants who will be recruited before the intervention starts. The second group will also have 180 participants who will be recruited after the intervention starts. The program will be evaluated and the results will be shared with the youth, staff caring for them, health care administrators, and policy makers in order to ensure that recovery continues after discharge from specialized services. The research will be widely shared so individuals and organizations can benefit from the findings.