Taking care of psychiatric distress throughout Martinique is the mission of the unit called EPIC, Mobile Psychiatric Intervention and Crisis Team. A multi-party agreement was signed between the ARS, the prefecture, hospital services, firefighters, law enforcement (gendarmes and police) on Monday January 29, 2024 at the Maurice Despinoy hospital center.
“It’s a real psychiatric Samu“. According to psychiatrist Sandra Flaquet, head of the intersectoral center at the Maurice Despinoy hospital center, this new unit called EPIC, Mobile Psychiatric Intervention and Crisis Team, can be deployed if necessary after a call to 15 individuals or by police and gendarmerie.
If a user needs support, their loved ones can alert them. They will call 15 and the service will place the call to the psychiatric care access service which will dispatch this team. In the event of a crisis, we intervene.
Sandra Flaquet, psychiatrist and head of the intersectoral center at the Maurice Despinoy hospital center
interviewed by Xavier Chevalier
The EPIC unit will intervene 7 days a week in all municipalities in Martinique in the event of a psychiatric crisis in people’s homes. A creation born from a real need.
We had parents, families, loved ones, neighbors of people who were in crisis and who broke everything, who were violent at home towards themselves or others. They couldn’t find an adequate answer. Today, the answer will exist and it will change things.
There are approximately 10 to 15 calls per day for a psychiatric crisis, whether psychotic, psychosocial or suicidal. The need is very great. With the establishment of this team, we will allow people to have a good course without interruption of care and rapid emergency treatment to avoid damage or worsening of disorders.
Sandra Flaquet
interviewed by Xavier Chevalier
EPIC has a staff of 15 people. A team made up of psychiatric nurses, relational care mediators, caregivers and even psychiatrists.
Sarah Beauregard and Patrice Pinel Ferréol are specialized nurses. They joined the EPIC team for its necessity.
It’s really a need. We often have parents, or even in the workplace, people in distress. They don’t know who to call. There are poor families.
Sarah Beauregard
interviewed by Xavier Chevalier
I have almost 15 years in psychiatry, I have worked with very difficult patients in France and in Martinique. I am on my fifth year in a closed service with a very high level of aggression. I wanted to change and help on the ground.
Patrice Pinel Ferréol
interviewed by Xavier Chevalier
Other units of this type would also be welcome, at the Ducos penitentiary center, for example, where the need is strong.
