Improved Services Initiative / National Comorbidity Capacity Building Project
In July 2006, COAG (Council of Australian Governments) endorsed a National Action Plan on Mental Health (2006-2011). Under the Plan, the Commonwealth is implementing 18 measures over five years to improve services for people with a mental illness, their families and carers. One initiative under this plan is the Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness Measure (Improved Services).
COAG National Action Plan Mental Health 2006 - 2011 - Update on Initiatives March 2008.
The first component of the Improved Services initiative is a $56 million capacity building grants program to alcohol and drug (AOD) non-government organisation (NGO) treatment services, to assist them to better identify and treat comorbid substance abuse disorders and mental illness. Eleven agencies, or consortia, were successful in securing grants in WA. INSERT: To find out about the objectives of the project and who received funding in WA refer to Promotional Flyer
The second component is the Cross Sectorial Support and Strategic Partnerships Project (CSSSPP) which is designed to complement the first component by funding the AOD NGO peak body (or equivalent) in each State and Territory. WANADA (Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies) has been funded for this purpose in WA. WANADA's funding is to support the capacity building grant recipients in WA and to coordinate a state wide approach to the project. WANADA's funding is initially for 12 months from January 2008, with the expectation of extension through to July 2010 upon presentation of a project plan based on the work undertaken in year one.
To find out about the objectives of the project and who received funding in WA, please refer to the Improved Services Initiative / National Comorbidity Project - WA Flyer.
WANADA is co-ordinating sector development in comorbidity across Western Australia. Our Project Manager is Angela Corry, supported by Senior Project Officer Melinda Spencer. Together they make up our Sector Development Co-ordination team. For enquiries about the comorbidity sector development project, please contact Angela Corry on 9420 7236 or e-mail: angela.corry@wanada.org.au.
[ Back to Menu ]Resources
- A Counsellor's Guide to Working with AOD Users
- Dual Diagnosis Toolkit; Mental Health and Substance Misuse - A Practical Guide for Professionals and Practitioners
- Management of Acute Amphetamine Related Psychosis; Clinical Guidelines
- Mental Health Reference Resource for Drug and Alcohol Workers
- Screening For And Assessment of Co-occurruring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders by AOD and Mental Health Services, VICDDI
- The Assessment and Management of People with Coexisting Subtance Use and Mental Health Disorders
- The Management of People with a Co-existing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
- COAG National Action Plan Mental Health 2006 - 2011 - Update on Initiatives March 2008.
- COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health - Progress Report 2006-07
- New Dual Diagnosis Interactive DVD - for more information, please contact Richard Clancy, University of Newcastle on (02) 4924 6627 or at richard.clancy@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
- Consumer and Carer Involvement in Comorbidity Treatment Planning Package
- Barriers and Incentives to Treatment for Illicit Drug Users with Mental Health Comorbidities and Complex Vulnerabilities - PDF - a hard copy is available in the WANADA library.
- Dual diagnosis key directions and priorities for service development
Professional Development Opportunities
- Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships
- Australian Psychological Society Clinical Supervision Scheme - AOD Sector - for more information, please Margaret Anderson at m.anderson@psychology.org.au.
- Mental Health Nursing - Scholarships are available for Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters, PhD and Post doctoral studies in Mental Health Nursing. The next round of applications for study in 2009 will open on 26 July 2008. Application/Guideline forms will be available to download from the opening date.
- Clinical Psychology - The APS is offering Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarships, which are available to students commencing a Masters or Professional Doctorate in an APAC accredited Clinical Psychology program in 2009. More information and the application form will be available late July/early August on the APS website or by contacting Claire Forsyth on 1800 703 883.
- AASW Comorbidity Project (PDF) - Offers funding for the supervision of social work students on placement at non-government alcohol and other drug agencies.
