The province is expanding support for young people who experience early signs of psychosis.
Psychosis is a mental-health condition that can affect a person’s perception of reality, and often involves delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations.
B.C. says its early psychosis intervention (EPI) program is offered to people 13 to 30-years-old who are showing signs of their first episode of psychosis, when the condition is most likely to develop.
As part of the province’s early intervention program for the condition, it’s hiring up to 100 more specialists at 50 locations that assess and care for youth.
“Experiencing symptoms of psychosis can be scary and isolating for young people and their families,” said Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“By connecting young people to early intervention supports, we ensure people experiencing psychosis for the first time are not left alone, and feel empowered to reclaim their lives. Through this expansion, we’re providing better access, hiring more staff, and providing more young people with the wraparound care they need, when they need it.”
The expansion will be supported by $75 million over three years.
With the funding, the province says health authorities have opened new locations throughout B.C., relocated to new community spaces that are more welcoming and accessible, hired new staff, and increased collaboration among care team members.
Between 2022 and 2023, an average of 205 people were referred to EPI programs in B.C., compared to an average of 166 people per month between 2020 and 2021.