The Ontario government has announced a $19 million investment aimed at expanding mental health services across the province through the Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program, in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The funding will enhance support for individuals aged 14 to 35 who are experiencing early signs of psychosis, offering timely access to care.
The expansion is part of Ontario’s broader mental health strategy, Your Health, which focuses on connecting residents with necessary services. The EPI program offers individualized, age-appropriate treatment aimed at helping individuals regain a sense of normalcy by returning to work, school, and maintaining social relationships. According to Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, this move is designed to meet the needs of individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges at a crucial time.
“By expanding the Early Psychosis Intervention program, we are ensuring those experiencing some of their first mental health challenges can connect to the care they need earlier on their journey to wellness,” said Jones.
The EPI program operates in collaboration with CAMH’s Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, with the objective of delivering evidence-based, standardized care across Ontario. According to the Ontario government, this approach is expected to make a meaningful difference by enabling early diagnosis and support for people living with mental health issues.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo emphasized the program’s role in enhancing community support. “By investing in community supports like Early Psychosis Intervention, we are making sure Ontarians have the resources they need that make a difference in their lives,” Tibollo said.
The Ontario government launched the Roadmap to Wellness in 2020, a $3.8 billion, 10-year plan to create a cohesive and accessible mental health system. The province’s latest budget, “Building a Better Ontario,” includes an additional $396 million over three years for mental health and addictions services, which will contribute to the expansion of programs like EPI.
EPI’s focus on early intervention is backed by data showing that 75 percent of serious mental illnesses manifest before age 25. Sarah Downey, President and CEO of CAMH, stressed the importance of intervening early to potentially alter the trajectory of mental illnesses in young people. “We know that 75 per cent of serious mental illness starts before age 25. With this understanding, we have an opportunity to engage sooner to change, and even possibly reverse the course of mental illness,” Downey said.
The program also includes the development of 10 new Youth Wellness Hubs, bringing the total number of hubs to 32 across Ontario. These centres will support young people experiencing various mental health challenges and offer standardized care aimed at minimizing the long-term impact of psychosis.
The expansion aims to provide a consistent standard of care throughout Ontario, explained Dr. Chris Simpson, Executive Vice-President at Ontario Health. “The Provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program ensures all Ontarians affected by early phase psychosis have access to the same high-quality care across the province,” Simpson said. “Treatment is personalized to the individual and their care partners to support optimal recovery.”