Intensive Mental Healthcare Program Cuts Homelessness for Young People with Psychosis in Half
MONTREAL – A specialized mental healthcare program is dramatically reducing the time it takes for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis to achieve housing stability, according to new research from the CHUM’s JAP clinic. The EQIIP SOL program cuts the average time to secure and maintain housing from 14 months to just seven months, offering a potential model for addressing the growing crisis of homelessness among vulnerable populations.
The findings, published in April in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, demonstrate the notable impact of intensive, tailored support for young people navigating the challenges of psychosis and homelessness. “Approximately 80 per cent of the subjects permanently exited homelessness,” stated Amal Abdel-Baki, a researcher involved in the study. This success is especially crucial as early intervention for psychosis can reduce the risk of accidental death or suicide by three-quarters within two years of diagnosis.
The EQIIP SOL program, tracked over three years with 177 participants between 2012 and 2020, focuses on adapting treatment to individual needs while maintaining engagement. Researchers found that participants not only found housing faster but also demonstrated a capacity to return to school or secure employment.
Beyond the individual benefits, the program offers substantial societal advantages. Abdel-Baki emphasized that reducing reliance on emergency and hospital services - “visits to the ER and hospitalization are what cost society the most” – represents a significant cost saving. A related study, published in the June 2025 issue of Schizophrenia Research, by Ines boujelben, Amal Abdel-Baki et al., examines pathways to early intervention services for racialized and immigrant youth.
These findings underscore the critical need for expanded access to specialized mental healthcare for vulnerable young people, offering a pathway to both individual recovery and broader community well-being.
