Focus on Youth Psychosis Prevention (FYPP) Clinic

Intended For

People aged 16 to 35 who are at risk of developing psychosis

Referral Requirements:

Physician referral required. Please download the form and call your doctor.

Additional Referral Details

Referrals from other health-care providers (e.g., psychologist, social worker, nurse-practitioner, counsellor) are also accepted.

It is necessary to have a family physician (or any physician with whom you have an ongoing care relationship) for continuity of care. If, after your initial assessment, we do not think our clinic is right for you, we will provide recommendations for other clinical services.

Services Offered As:

Outpatient

Program Duration:

Approximately six months

Waiting Period:

1-3 weeks

Location:

FYPP - 252 College Street

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

Contact Phone Number:

Access CAMH: 416 535-8501 ext. 32517

Contact Email:

fyppclinic@camh.ca

More Contact Details:

Fax: 416 979-4264

Types of Treatment and Services Offered

• Assessment for clients exhibiting early warning signs of psychosis
• Early intervention to prevent youth psychosis, which may include psychosocial and/or pharmaceutical treatment
• Psychiatric monitoring

Program Overview

The FYPP Clinic is dedicated to the early identification and treatment of people aged 16 to 35 who are at risk of developing psychosis.

We try to identify and treat early signs of psychosis as early as possible. The people we help are young people who become distressed by changes in their thoughts, perceptions and feelings. These changes may be difficult to describe to others and often become a source of concern for young people and their families. Mental and emotional problems are often like physical problems; the sooner they are treated, the better. In the past it was common to delay active treatment until clear signs of psychosis appeared. However, the longer an illness is left untreated, the greater the disruptions to the person’s ability to study, work, make friends and interact comfortably with others. Psychosis happens when a person loses contact with reality and cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is not. Psychosis usually appears in a person’s late teens or early twenties. About three out of every 100 people will have a psychotic episode in their lifetime.

Identification

Mental and emotional changes are early signs that someone could be at risk for psychosis. These changes usually happen before more serious symptoms develop. They include:

• trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• confusion about what is real or imaginary
• hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t really there
• feeling that the world has become strange and unreal
• preoccupation with religion or superstitions
• feeling suspicious or paranoid
• disorganized speech, racing thoughts or slowed-down thoughts
• irrational ideas of special identity or abilities
• problems with social activities, at work or at school
• withdrawal from family and friends
• flat emotions, decrease in facial expressions, monotone speech.

Treatment

All clients accepted to the FYPP program will receive six months of follow-up care. This includes appointments with a psychiatrist for symptom monitoring to ensure symptoms do not progress. It may also include medication prescription and monitoring. Clients will work in collaboration with the treatment team to develop a care plan that fits their needs.