Island Health logo

Nanaimo

1. Name of Service

Early Intervention Services (embedded in the Nanaimo Adult Community Support Services Portfolio)
Nanaimo MHSU Island Health

2. Address of Service

203 - 2000 Island Highway,
Nanaimo, BC
V9S 5W3

phone: 250-739-5796
fax: 250-739-5739

3. Hours of Service:

Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm

After hours: 7 day a week, additional clinical and rehab supports/programming, holidays, evenings, weekends available through our ACSS program.

Crisis response team 7:00am - 10:00pm via Crisis Line

Nanaimo General Hospital has a psychiatric emergency service available 24/7

4. Who Can Receive Services?

Age range Young adults, 17.5 - 30 years of age.
Work closely with local MCFD, CYMH & CICAPP services to seamlessly transition youth to adult services and/or accept young adults where the developmental and clinical needs are best met with an adult population/targeted service.
Type of psychosis or disorders Any young person experiencing a first break episode (including presumed substance induced episode) or presents with possible prodromal clinical picture.
Catchment areas served Nanaimo
Other criteria None

5. Do I Need a Referral?

Anyone can refer including self-referral. (A third party referral requires client consent.)

6. Program Description:

Basic early psychosis services provided include:

  Complete assessment of symptoms and physical functioning
* Provide complete mental health assessment including capacity to offer functional (OT) and psychological and psychiatric assessment.* Clinicians work with primary care for physical health concerns.
  Medication management
  Case manager
  Family support and education
* Offer groups throughout year for family members, individualized support via case managers, partner agencies also offer programming for families – i.e. BCSS
  Client education
  Treatment of problems in living and other mental health issues

In addition to these basic early intervention services more comprehensive services may be offered including:

  Groups (In Partnership with Psychiatric Day Hospital)
* CBT for psychosis
  Public education regarding early identification and intervention
  Cognitive assessments and rehabilitation
  Vocational rehab programs
  Medication side effect monitoring, healthy living programs
* includes metabolic monitoring, side effect monitoring, healthy living programs, physical education 1:1 and group
  Alumni programs
* paid EIS peer support worker opportunities
  Research and opportunities to participate in studies
  EIS focused rehab housing
  IPS / Competitive employment services