Dunedin Early Intervention in Psychosis Service 

Health NZ Te Whatu Ora - Southern

Criteria: 16-30 years, suspected emerging psychosis or first episode of psychosis, or first presentation of psychosis to mental health services in the last two years where adequate intervention has not been received. Psychosis symptoms may also be in the context of depression, bipolar disorder and drug-induced psychosis. Mothers experiencing postpartum psychosis accepted irrespective of age, who are presenting with psychosis for the first time, or where previous treatment has not been received for psychosis in the previous two years.  

Area covered: Primarily Dunedin but can offer support to community teams in the Clutha, Central Otago and North Otago area.

Address: Level 1, Albany House, 27 Albany Street, Dunedin
Ph: (03) 470 9950 or 0800 44 33 66
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SDHB EIPS currently covers the Otago Region only. We primarily see clients within Dunedin but can offer support to community teams in the Clutha, Central Otago and North Otago area. We are a multidisciplinary team, which includes a psychiatrist, psychologist and psychology intern, social worker, occupational therapist and nurses. We also have access to Maori cultural workers through Te Oranga Tongu Tanga.
We provide an assertive outreach service, with intensive follow up for young people and their whanau experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
We accept referrals from all sources including self-referrals.

Our entry criteria

A consumer will be accepted for assessment by EIPS when he or she:

• Is between 16 and 30 years of age;
  • AND is suspected of having an emerging psychosis which may be characterised by unusual perceptual experiences, disturbances of belief, disorganised speech patterns, mood changes, sleep disturbance, loss of energy or motivation, social and functional changes, and/or cognitive difficulties

OR

• Is between 16 and 30 years of age;
• AND this is his or her first presentation for psychosis to mental health services within the last two years;
• AND adequate intervention* for psychosis has not yet been received.

OR

• Is a woman of any age who is experiencing post-partum psychosis;
• AND this is her first episode of psychosis;
• OR this is her first presentation for psychosis to mental health services within the last two years;
• AND adequate intervention* for psychosis has not yet been received.

Young people experiencing psychotic symptoms with other conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder, are also eligible, as are those with drug-induced psychosis.

*Adequate intervention is deemed to be completion of a planned intervention programme suitable for psychosis

Following the initial assessment, EIPS may decide to provide follow-up for the consumer over a longer assessment period to determine whether this is the most appropriate service to meet their needs.

When:

• The client is at the high end of the at-risk mental state group; that is, there is a change in subjective experience and behaviour which may fluctuate in severity AND either
  • subthreshold positive symptoms of psychosis
  • OR a family history of psychosis in a first-degree relative with a significant yet nonspecific decline in psychosocial function within the past year which is not resolving;
• OR it is unclear from the information gathered whether psychosis is the consumer’s primary problem;
• AND further monitoring is required over time to determine whether there is an emerging psychosis.

Once assessment has established that first-episode psychosis or first-presentation psychosis is present, including during the post-partum period, the consumer will be accepted for EIPS follow-up and intervention over a three-year period.

Where psychotic symptoms are thought to be secondary to a primary diagnosis of personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or an organic presentation, EIPS may be involved in assessment but another service may be more appropriate to meet the consumer’s intervention needs.

In situations where EIPS is deemed not to be the most appropriate service to meet a consumer’s needs, EIPS will endeavour to facilitate referral to a suitable service for follow-up.

Contact details:

Physical address: Level 1, 27 Albany Street, Dunedin
Postal: Private Bag 1921 Dunedin 9054
Phone: 03 4709950 or 0800 44 33 66
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.