Course Title: Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

National Element Code & Title:

CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Recognise and respond to signs indicating that a person may have co-existing mental health and AOD issues

1.2 Identify own service provision and possible agency programs or interventions suitable for a person with dual diagnosis

1.3 Assess the impact and nature of co-existing conditions on the person, including their social, financial and legal status

1.4 Work with the person to understand their readiness, motivation, priorities and goals for recovery in relation to both their mental health and alcohol and other drug issues

1.5 Research or consult with specialist services, as needed, to gather additional specific information about the relevant AOD substances and their interactions or possible impacts on someone with mental health issues 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Build an effective working relationship with the person

2.2 Discuss with the person their existing services and supports, and their perspective on collaboration or coordination across services

2.3 Gather and review information on available service options and approaches with the person

2.4 Support person to make informed decisions about approaches, including resources and services

2.5 Develop and document a plan with the person that reflects choices made

2.6 Work collaboratively with the person to facilitate the implementation of appropriate strategies, services and resources

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify issues that are outside the scope of the service and/or the scope of the worker

3.2 Collaboratively identify appropriate service and other support options with the person

3.3 Support positive decision making to assist the person to make informed choices about recovery options

3.4 Work collaboratively with the person to determine referral options, and responsibilities and consents required

3.5 Make referrals in consultation with the person and in line with organisation protocols

3.6 Follow up and evaluate referrals to ensure they have been effective

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Work collaboratively with the person to proactively identify potential risks to safety of person, workers and others

4.2 Prevent risks by identifying triggers, strategies to manage risks and contingency options

4.3 Use evidence based de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage conflict

4.4 Identify emergency situations and seek immediate assistance

4.5 Comply with laws, relevant ethical guidelines and policy requirements that affect duty of care and dignity of risk 

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Develop and maintain records of services provided, decisions made and follow up actions in collaboration with the person

5.2 Communicate relevant information to work colleagues and other people working with the person, with the persons consent

5.3 Reflect on own role in providing support and use learning to enhance future practice

5.4 Seek advice, supervision and debriefing from workplace supervisor based on identified needs

Dual Diagnosis

Week 1

We will be exploring the definition of dual diagnosis in its broadest sense and how to assess clients who are experiencing multiple diagnosis simultaneously. 

We will be; 

• Getting an overview of this cluster 
• Exploring the meaning of dual diagnosis 
• Looking at common comorbidities 
• Exploring assessment tools for dual diagnosis clients 

• Introduction to our first case study 

Week 3

We will be learning about Dr. Dan Siegel's Window of Tolerance and how it can assist in working with people with any form of mental illness. 

We will be; 

• Understanding what it means to be in your window of tolerance 
• Understanding hyperarousal and hypo arousal 
• Discussing grounding techniques to bring a person back into their window 
• Considering the mental health mental illness continuum 
• Observing our own window of tolerance 

Week 5

We will be getting into the nitty gritty of dual diagnosis. Today the focus is on dual diagnosis considerations for people who use depressants. 

We will be; 

• Understanding what is meant by depressants 
• Considering the function of use of depressants 
• Considering the risks of combining depressants 
• Considering harm reduction strategies for depressant use 
• Considering the relationship between substance use and depression 
• Understanding the interaction between depressant use and prescription medication 

Week 7

We will be exploring Recovery Orientated Practice and what it means for clients with a Dual Diagnosis. 

We will be: 

• Defining recovery orientated practice 
• Hearing stories of recovery from people with a lived experience 
• Understanding the 6 principles of recovery orientated practice 

Week 9

We will be exploring trauma informed practice and the impact of early childhood trauma on Dual Diagnosis clients.  

We will be: 

• Learning about ACEs 
• Assessing our own ACEs 
• Understanding how trauma impacts a person's window of tolerance 
• Putting together many of the theories we have learnt so far 

• Continuing to work with Lisa’s Case Study 
• Building an effective working relationship with a client who has experienced trauma 
• Referring to specialist services 
• Applying the principles of recovery orientated and trauma informed practice 

Week 11

We will observing changes in a clients mental health status and handing over to Mental Health Professionals for follow up. 

We will be: 

• Revisiting the theory of function of substance use 

• Considering function of substance use in relation to prescription medications 
• Considering AOD interventions for clients taking psychotropic and other prescription medications 
• Revisiting AOD Assessment 
• Considering polypharmacy 
• Exploring MIMMS 

Week 13

We will be considering the impact that AOD work has on AOD workers own mental health. 

We will be: 

• Defining Vicarious Trauma 
• Defining Burnout 
• Defining Compassion Fatigue 
• Learning about the three S’s Self reflection, Self Care & Supervision 

• Considering theories as to why people in caring professions experience mental illness 
• Considering the role that injustice and systemic under resourcing play in the reduced wellbeing of AOD workers 
• Exploring self care resources 

Week 15

 MHFA