The
Center is currently implementing one of the nation’s
first community-based early intervention programs for youth at
risk for serious mental illness. The Portland Identification
and Early Referral (PIER) Program is showing
promising results in its ability to stem the progression of serious
psychiatric symptoms and disability in young persons prior to
the onset stage of their illness. Research is focused
on reductions in the incidence of psychotic disorders such as
schizophrenia and testing the efficacy of multi-family psycho-education
groups in delaying or preventing psychiatric disability. Dr.
McFarlane is the Principal Investigator; and Drs. William Cook
and Doug Robbins are Co-Investigators. Additional information
on PIER Program services and staff are available at www.preventmentalillness.org.
Dr.
McFarlane was recently selected by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (RWJ) to create and administer the National Program
Office for the RWJ initiative in Early Detection and Intervention
for the Prevention of Psychosis (EDIPP). As
an RWJ National Program Office, the EDIPP program
will train, supervise, and evaluate clinical outcomes for three
additional treatment centers across the nation. These sites will be
selected on the basis of their ability to replicate the pioneering
efforts of the PIER Program. The RWJ initiative will also
fund an additional four years of PIER Program services. EDIPP
staff includes William R. McFarlane, MD, Director, Anita Ruff,
MPH, Deputy Director for Administration, Donna Downing, OTR/R,
Deputy Director for Training, William Cook, Ph.D. Deputy Director
for Research, and Debbie Oliver, Administrative Associate.
The
most recent research initiative in the Center is Dr. Ann Maloney’s study of “ExerLearning” in Maine
middle schools. Dr. Maloney’s research team is collaborating
with Maine public schools and one of the makers of a computer-driven
dance game to integrate exercise into each child’s school
day. Because of the popularity of these dance games with
children and adults, it is hoped that exposure to the game will
encourage youth to exercise more and thus reduce the incidence
of obesity in our communities. Outcomes will focus on changes
in levels of physical activity, weight loss, and academic achievement. Dr.
Maloney successfully piloted an after-school ExerLearning program
while in her psychiatry residency at University of North Carolina.
The
Center is also near completion of a program and outcome study
focused on identifying factors associated with refusal of psychiatric
treatment after first hospitalization among youth aged 14-21. The Odyssey Program provided
flexible, outreach, individual and family treatment, and supported
education services to youth discharged from Spring Harbor Hospital. The
intent of the program was to prevent future psychiatric difficulties
and maximize the young people’s functional outcomes. The
intervention primarily involved re-engaging youth in school and/or
employment. Dr. McFarlane and Mr. Richard Balser, M.A.,
CRC, Director of Vocational Services and Psychiatric Services
at MMC, are the Co-Directors and Christine McKenzie, M. Ed. is
Program Manager. This project was one of a few highly innovative
youth-serving programs funded by the Center for Mental Health
Services (SAMHSA) “Transitions to Adulthood” initiative.
To
learn more about research initiatives currently underway within
Maine’s Mental Health Network, click
here or contact:
William R. McFarlane, M.D., Director
Center for Psychiatric Research
315 Park Avenue
Portland, ME 04102-3175
Phone: (207) 662-2091
E-mail: mcfarw@mmc.org
