CAMH hosts Early Intervention in Psychosis Network

Research shows that funding recovery programs is money well spent

Not so many years ago a diagnosis of schizophrenia meant life-long dependency. A life defined by drugs, unemployment and social stigma. The door was shut on recovery. These issues haven’t yet been completely banished from the lives of people living with psychosis, but despite the challenges, according to Dr. John Trainor, Director of CAMH’s Community Support and Research Unit (CSRU), we are entering a period of optimism in dealing with these mental health issues.

CAMH’s First Episode Division is hosting the recently-launched Toronto Early Intervention Psychosis Network. Division Manager Thomas Hall says First Episode is focussed on improving client outcomes.

The key is early intervention. Research conducted by CAMH and partner mental health organizations demonstrates that patients with access to early intervention programs have better outcomes, increased rates of remission and are less likely to be hospitalized. 

“It’s science and research working together with recovery and living a full life in society,” Dr. Trainor said, recently addressing a gathering to launch the Toronto Early Intervention in Psychosis Network hosted by the First Episode Division. It’s no wonder that both the federal government and the government of Ontario identified early intervention as one of their four major health priorities.

Dr. John Trainor, Director, Community Support and Research Unit (CSRU), says that early intervention is the key to helping clients deal with first-episode psychosis.

CAMH is a key player in the Early Intervention Network working in collaboration with health-care partners across Ontario.

Dr. Carolyn Dewa, a Senior Scientist in CAMH’s Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, presented the group with some of her research team’s early findings from their Matryoshka Project. Named after the Russian dolls that nest tightly one within the other, and that represent the many-layered health-care system, the project is designed to examine the effects of new mental health system funding on the continuity of care for new and ongoing clients.

CAMH scientists named their early-intervention research the Matryoshka Project, after the Russian dolls that nest tightly, one within the other, to represent the many-layered healthcare system.

By studying seven of the 31 early intervention programs in Ontario, Dr. Dewa and her team found a rise in the number of new clients entering early intervention programs, continuity of care has improved and the programs are better able to attract their target populations. Client satisfaction is up and more are being served early in their illness.

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