- Title
- Co-morbid drug and alcohol and mental health issues in a rural New South Wales Area Health Service
- Creator
- Hoolahan, Bryan; Kelly, Brian; Stain, Helen; Killen, Didi
- Relation
- Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 14, Issue 4, p. 148-153
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1584.2006.00792.x
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2006
- Description
- Objective: In 2003 the New South Wales (NSW) Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) conducted an analysis of co-morbid drug and alcohol (D&A) and mental health issues for service providers and consumers in a rural NSW Area Health Service. This paper will discuss concerns raised by rural service providers and consumers regarding the care of people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Design: Current literature on co-morbidity was reviewed, and local area clinical data were examined to estimate the prevalence of D&A disorders within the mental health service. Focus groups were held with service providers and consumer support groups regarding strengths and gaps in service provision. Setting: A rural Area Health Service in NSW. Participants: Rural health and welfare service providers, consumers with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Results: Data for the rural area showed that 43% of inpatient and 20% of ambulatory mental health admissions had problem drinking or drug-taking. Information gathered from the focus groups indicated a reasonable level of awareness of co-morbidity, and change underway to better meet client needs; however, the results indicated a lack of formalised care coordination, unclear treatment pathways, and a lack of specialist care and resources. Discussion: Significant gaps in the provision of appropriate care for people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders were identified. Allocation of service responsibly for these clients was unclear. It is recommended that D&A, mental health and primary care services collaborate to address the needs of clients so that a coordinated and systematic approach to co-morbid care can be provided.
- Subject
- New South Wales; Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health; CRRMH; drug and alcohol; mental health disorders; co-morbidity; service provision; primary care service
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/26780
- Identifier
- uon:1117
- Identifier
- ISSN:1440-1584
- Language
- eng
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