News, guidance and resources

Citation

Rao, R.(T). (2022), "News, guidance and resources", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 244-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-11-2022-050

News, guidance and resources

Co-occurring substance misuse and mental health issues profiling tool

Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, Public Health England

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile-group/mental-health/profile/drugsandmentalhealth

Developed to support an intelligence-driven approach to understanding and meeting need. It collates and analyses a wide range of publicly available data around tobacco smoking, alcohol use and drug use, including data on prevalence, risk factors, treatment demand and treatment response. The tool also features indicators around mental health prevalence and services. Since December 2016, it has featured related indicators on mortality. The tool provides commissioners, service providers, clinicians, service users and their families with the means to benchmark their area against other areas.

National mission on drug deaths: 2022–2026

Scottish Government

www.gov.scot/publications/national-drugs-mission-plan-2022-2026/

A five year strategy based on lived experience, equalities and human rights, tackling stigma, adopting surveillance and data informed approach; together with building a resilient and skilled workforce.

The policy is psychologically informed, focussing on the needs of people struggling with drug problems and dual diagnosis. It notes that psychosocial support is a fundamental part of a recovery-orientated system of care and that this type of support is a leading component in the treatment offered to people who have problematic use of substances for which there is not yet a medicinal intervention.

Mental health strategy

Department of Health, Northern Ireland.

www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-mhs-strategy-2021-2031.pdf

The strategy has a strong focus on dual diagnosis, with action to create a managed care network with experts in dual diagnosis to support and build capacity in both mental health and substance use services so that these services meet the full needs of those with dual diagnosis. It covers the spectrum of need, from Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services to support for older people with mental ill health. It recommends that such services should be provided from community to inpatient and specialist services, with clinicians and service users working collectively together to address the issues. It is firm in its premise that people living with dual diagnosis should not be referred and forward between different services unnecessarily.

Sharing the vision a mental health policy for everyone

Government of Ireland

www.gov.ie/en/publication/2e46f-sharing-the-vision-a-mental-health-policy-for-everyone/#

The three year strategy from 2022 to 2024 is the first of three planned implementation plans. It outlines a programme of work to progress 100 policy recommendations. Part of this is a tiered model of integrated service provision for individuals with a dual diagnosis to ensure that pathways to care are clear.

Dual diagnosis Australia and New Zealand

Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative.

www.dualdiagnosis.org.au/home/index.php

A website that offers information and resources for people with interest in dual diagnosis and other complex needs. It contains factsheets, podcasts, reports and clinical guidelines across working-age, older and younger populations.

Turning point Australia

www.turningpoint.org.au/

Turning Point Australia seeks to evolve an understanding of how to improve society’s responses to addiction around stigma, significant delays in help-seeking, knowledge gaps across the health workforce, a fragmented service system and a siloed response to addiction are key areas that must see improvement. It offers information on treatment and support, education, training, policy and research.