YOUR IMPACT
The First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program (FEMAP) has reached a defining moment in the program’s history: expansion. The program is splitting at the seams and well beyond capacity in the current space. To solve the problem, the completely donor-funded program is embarking on a $4 million fundraising campaign to desperately expand the treatment space and services offered to the youth in our community. The expansion will reduce wait times and allow more youth in need to receive the treatment that they need and deserve.
For over a decade, FEMAP has been a leader in adolescent mental health care and is one of the only programs in North America that is specifically designed to treat young people struggling and living with destructive mood and anxiety disorders. Youth, aged 16-25, can freely access services from psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, addictions counsellors and participate in family therapy, group therapy and one-on-one treatments. All of these services are funded by generous community supporters who have recognized the need for a better model of care tailored to our youth.
Dr. Elizabeth Osuch, FEMAP Founder and Physician Lead/Psychiatrist, has developed this model of early intervention and preventative care that is changing the way youth are treated in a moment of crisis. However, current wait times for intake appointments and ongoing treatment can vary from weeks up to ten months after the initial call for help; lowering the chances for a positive outcome. Dr. Osuch’s research highlights the importance of supporting and treating youth in the early stages of mood and/or anxiety disorders before irreparable harm occurs. So an expansion of space and services is vital in order to support and treat all the youth who are seeking help from FEMAP before it's too late.
For youth struggling with untreated disorders, finding the help and care they need can be a challenge. Since the age of 12, Tandra Lepine, now 27, has struggled with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. Tandra credits her positive life outcome to the treatment and resources available to her at FEMAP. Simply put, “Without FEMAP, I don’t know if I would be here today,” says Tandra. “It helped me find my voice and it helped me find hope when I thought there wasn’t any.”
One of the greatest needs for FEMAP is an increased treatment space for patients once they are accepted into the program. In early 2021 the necessary second location, provided by London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), will open at 54 Riverview Avenue. This new facility will accommodate a comprehensive group therapy program, individual treatment space and additional on-site youth programs. Through generous donors and proceeds from the annual fundraiser Country Classic Auction, the program is nearly two-thirds of the way to the fundraising goal, which is the catalyst for the expansion. Closing the fundraising gap will support the expanded services over the next five years.
As the program moves into its new facility, the additional funds will help double the team of healthcare professionals including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, social workers, researchers, and psychologists that will support the growing demand for services. Additional resources and trained support staff are essential to accommodate the increased number of youth seeking help from the program. The expansion will support enhanced addictions services, increased trauma treatment and provide crucial life skills to youth. It will help provide youth that are struggling with addiction and/or suffering from traumatic life events with the appropriate life-saving tools needed to navigate these intense mental health issues.
The increased, flexible work space and additional funding will create many opportunities for FEMAP. With the new facility, FEMAP will be able to offer training opportunities to medical, psychiatric, social work and psychology trainees that was not possible in the current space. This will provide first-hand experiences with clients to gain valuable skills for future practitioners.
FEMAP has changed the way youth mental health treatment is monitored through timely and appropriate questionnaires, surveys and online tools. Continued funding will support the efforts to create measurement-based treatment tools, like a youth-friendly mobile app, where clients will be able to conduct “on the go” self-assessments to share with treatment providers in real-time, allowing more accurate information to be communicated to clinicians to identify the best treatment approaches.
The First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program can only continue to be successful if timely and professional treatment is provided close to when a young person reaches out. Dr. Osuch summed up the need for additional space and resources in one powerful statement, “If we don’t expand, we will implode.”
Thanks to generous donors, FEMAP has been able to help thousands of youth find hope in their darkest moments, but there is still more to do. Supporting FEMAP is an investment in our youth and community. If equipped with the right tools — we can ensure a bright future for generations to come.