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DUAL DIAGNOSIS POSTER WINS STATE AWARD |
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A Warrnambool poster depicting the links between drug and alcohol problems and mental illness has won a state award.The `Your Place or Mine’ poster has been named ahead of 33 others as the best entrant at the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative Improved Services conference in Lorne.
The poster outlines the collaboration between WRAD and South West Healthcare Psychiatric Services in supporting people with dual diagnosis of mental illness and drug and alcohol problems.
The poster was developed by WRAD clinical supervisor Daryl Fitzgibbon, co-morbidity project worker Maya Raschel and Psychiatric Services’ Dual Diagnosis worker Mark Powell, with support from Warrnambool’s Spectrum Printing.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the joint efforts between the agencies had resulted in substantial service improvements for clients.“The poster illustrates how the project developed a culture of collaboration, how common screening tools were developed, how a new database of information was established and how the referral processes was improved to better service the needs of clients.”
The project has included the employment of a co-morbidity worker, database operator and placement of a Psychiatric Services worker at WRAD.
Mr Fitzgibbon said it had led to a massive shift in how people view the dual diagnosis of mental health problems and drug and alcohol addictions. He added that the `Your Place or Mine?’ poster illustrated a “no wrong door” approach to care.
“We have been working to break down the notion of separate silos for care. If someone comes to WRAD for support they are screened for mental health issues and referred for further care where appropriate, and people presenting at Psychiatric Services are likewise screened for drug and alcohol issues.” Mr Fitzgibbon said the poster was judged as the one which best portrayed efforts to collaborate to provide better services for dual diagnosed clients. He added that the benefits of the project were continuing to emerge and that ongoing alignment of services and data collection would ensure better client outcomes in the future.
South West Healthcare Psychiatric Services Director Caroline Byrne and WRAD Director Geoff Soma said the work between the two services was important and represented an ideal model of collaboration and spirit. “The gains were evident in improved quality and care for clients with mental health and alcohol and drug problems,” they said. “We hope that this relationship will continue to develop into the future.”
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Dozens of people took advantage of free health tests today at WRAD.