What is the Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness (Improved Services) measure?
The Improved Services measure aims to build the capacity of non-government drug and alcohol treatment services to effectively address and treat coinciding mental illness and substance abuse. This initiative forms part of the Australian Government's $1.9 billion Mental Health Reform Package and contribution to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
Responsibility for the Improved Services Initiative rests with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
Mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse often go hand-in-hand and require treatment of both disorders. Research in 2004 showed that almost two in five people who used an illicit drug experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress.
Drug and alcohol workers need specialist training and resources to assist them to provide effective treatment for people with both mental illness and substance abuse problems.
Who will benefit?
This measure will build the capacity of non-government drug and alcohol treatment services to better identify and treat clients with coinciding drug and alcohol problems and mental illness.
What will the Improved Services measure deliver?
This measure will provide capacity building grants to non-government drug and alcohol treatment services across Australia and facilitate additional support to such services through the development of stronger partnerships with the broader health network.
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How will it work?
Non-government drug and alcohol treatment services across Australia will be funded through a competitive grants process to undertake a range of capacity building activities including workforce training, developing partnerships with local area health services and developing and implementing policies and procedures that support the identification and management of clients experiencing comorbid substance abuse and mental illness.
Non-government drug and alcohol peak bodies (or their equivalent) in each state and territory will be funded to support these services to undertake capacity building and service improvement measures within their organisations; and enhance cross-sectoral support and strategic partnerships between state and territory mental health services and alcohol and other drug services, GPs and other key peak bodies.
What funding is the Australian Government committing?
The Australian Government is committing $73.9 million to this measure over five years from 2006-07. Of this, $65.7 million is available to build the capacity of drug and alcohol non-government organisations, with the remaining $8.2 million allocated to expand the National Comorbidity Initiative.
When will the Improved Services measure start?
The capacity building grants process for non-government drug and alcohol treatment services commenced 1 July 2007.
What's been done in the past?
The Improved Services measure builds on the National Comorbidity Initiative and specifically focuses on building the capacity of non-government drug and alcohol treatment services to provide best-practice services that effectively identify and treat coinciding mental illness and substance abuse.
More information on the National Comorbidity Initiative can be found from the Department of Health and Ageing National Comorbidity Initiative website at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-comorbidity-index.htm#projects
Page currency, Latest update: 20 September, 2007