EPI (Early Psychosis Intervention) Team

Waitematā EPI (Early Psychosis Intervention) Team

Waitematā DHB

Criteria: 16-25 years with a first episode of psychosis where the predominant issue is psychosis. The team does not work with people who have received treatment for psychosis by a specialist mental health service for more than 6 months previously (except transfer of care from a different EIP team), nor where the primary diagnosis is dissociative disorder, PTSD, neurodevelopmental disorder, personality disorder or organic conditions such as head injury (where this is the predominant issue), nor when the symptoms of psychosis are in the context of substance intoxication or withdrawal.

Area covered: Waitematā DHB catchment area

In the North:

44 Taharoto Road, Takapuna

Ph: (09) 489 0555

Fax: (09) 441 8939

In the West:

Waimarino Building, 33 Paramount Drive, Henderson

Ph: (09) 822 8666

Fax: (09) 822 8672

The EPI team serves the West and North Auckland areas, which are in the catchment area for Waitemata DHB. The team is split into EPI West and EPI North. EPI West is based at the Waimarino Building, 33 Paramount Drive, Henderson. EPI North is currently based at 44 Taharoto Rd, Takapuna. The team provides an assertive outreach service, with intensive follow up for young people and their whanau experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team may be available for up to 3 years for people under 18 at the time of referral, or for up to 2 years for people 18 or over. EPI is a multidisciplinary team, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and nurses, and also works alongside Maori and Pacific cultural workers.

Entry criteria for EPI are:

All youth and young adults who reside within the Waitemata DHB catchment area who fulfil the following criteria:

First presentation with psychosis where psychosis is the predominant issue.
Prominent psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, with associated distress and/or a marked decline in social and occupational function).
Aged from 16 years and up to 25th birthday at date of referral.
Referred by mental health service.

The 2 or 3-year treatment period will begin from first contact with the referring service and there must be at least 6-months of the treatment period remaining.

Exclusion criteria:

Treated for psychosis by a specialist mental health service for more than 6 months previously (unless Transfer of Care from another Early Intervention Psychosis service and meets the above inclusion criteria).
Where the primary disorder is a Dissociative Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a Neurodevelopment Disorder, Personality Disorder or Organic condition such as head injury (where the head injury is predominant issue).
Where the psychotic symptoms are in the context of substance intoxication or withdrawal with perceptual disturbances.