The aim of the Comorbidity Project is to assist and support non-government ACT AOD services to undertake service improvement processes to better identify and manage clients experiencing comorbid AOD and mental health issues.

The Comorbidity Project is managed by the ACT AOD Sector Project which is auspiced by the Youth Coalition of the ACT.

Background

The Comorbidity Project is funded under the Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness initiative (the Improved Services initiative). This initiative forms part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health to improve mental health services and provide additional support to people with mental illness, their families and their carers.

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.

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 to support the grant recipients.

The ACT has received funding through the Department of Health and Ageing to support AOD treatment agencies to build their capacity and improve the way in which they work with co-morbid consumers, specifically those presenting with both alcohol and other drug and mental health issues.

The Youth Coalition of the ACT administers the ACT funding through the Comorbidity Project which supports grant recipients in the ACT and co-ordinates a strategic state-wide approach to the initiative.

For further information about the Project contact:

Steve Byrne
Comorbidity Project Officer
Youth Coalition of the ACT
steve@youthcoalition.net

Carrie Fowlie
Deputy Director
Youth Coalition of the ACT
carrie@youthcoalition.net