The IWK Youth Psychosis Team is a multidisciplinary specialty service providing clinical service, research, education and advocacy in early identification and treatment of psychotic illness in youth. The IWK Youth Psychosis Team serves youth age up until 19 years of age who are seeking help and may be at risk for or are presenting in the early stages of a primary psychotic disorder such as, schizophrenia. The IWK team is part of the Early Psychosis Program at Dalhousie University servicing patients under 35 years of age. The team consists of psychiatry, nursing, psychology and trainees in mental health (psychiatry residents, psychology residents, nursing students). Referrals originate from any source in the Halifax Regional Municipality but also extend to consultation assessment requests from clinicians across the Maritime Provinces. Youth accepted for specialized care are followed until about age 19 and are then seamlessly transferred to the adult Early Psychosis Team for ongoing service for up to five years.
The clinical focus is on the earliest identification of illness marked by psychotic experiences, and rapid provision of treatment to enhance and foster positive outcomes. Care includes assessment, stabilization of symptoms, recovery and rehabilitation, family focused care, psychoeducation and psychotherapy. Extensive outcomes evaluations are routinely conducted ranging from metabolic/medical monitoring to assessment of quality of life and burden of care.
Research into the determinants of health for persons in the various stages of psychotic disorder as well as provision of education for patients and families are key components of the program. Parents and families of the youth attend family and patient education sessions as well as family support sessions run by clinicians and trainees.
The psychosis team routinely reaches out to schools, teen health centers, community services and other community resources to provide education sessions on psychosis and psychotic disorders. These sessions help to foster collaboration with our community partners and in turn hopes to foster better understanding of the illness, and in turn earlier identification of those in need.
Accessing this Clinic, Program or Service
Central Referral will help determine whether the Specific Care Clinics offer the right support for you or your family member or friend. Most referrals to the Specific Care Clinics come from Community Mental Health and Addictions (CMHA) following a Choice appointment.
As the IWK is a tertiary care facility, child and adolescent psychiatrists from the Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or PEI) can request a consult appointment for their patients with any of the Specific Care Clinics through Central Referral. Physicians and clinicians from the Maritimes can also request to speak to a member of the Specific Care Clinic if they wish to consult on a case.
Link Building - IWK Health Centre
Take the green elevators to the 4th floor. These elevators are just down the hall from the entrance to the Goldbloom Pavillion from inside the hospital.