title: Service integration for the dually diagnosed.
abstract: The needs of dually diagnosed clients in mental health services have been and remain a focus for service development and improvement in Australia. The Council of Australian Governments committed to a five-year National Action Plan on Mental Health with a $1.8 billion injection into mental health services. In Australia there have been great advances in the service initiatives and service deliverables to those clients who experience a dual diagnosis. These advances include that dual diagnosis is systematically identified and responded to in a timely, evidence-based manner as a core business in mental health and alcohol and other drug services. These advances are brought to life by specialist mental health and alcohol and other drug services that establish effective partnerships and agreed mechanisms to support integrated care and collaborative practice. Here, four case studies are offered as a means of illustrating the ways in which projects undertaken in local community health services have approached dual diagnosis treatment for clients. These case studies reflect how cooperation and cross-referral between services, as well as effective management of dual diagnosis clients by suitably qualified staff can produce benefits to clients who use the service.
authors.affiliation: Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy MDC, Vic. 3065, Australia. karen-leigh.edward@acu.edu.au
authors.forename: Karen-leigh
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Edward
authors.forename: Rhonda Nelson
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hearity
authors.forename: Boyce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Felstead
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult