Integrating Mental Health Promotion A New Dimension in Drug & Alcohol Service Delivery

1. The Organization - MDECC 2. The Strategic Framework ( ) 3. The Project Plan

The Organization MDECC History Philosophy Model of Service Delivery Programs

MDECC Model of Service Delivery CONTINUUM OF DRUG USE No drug use………experimental use……….regular use………problematic Health Promotion Intervention Counselling Community Education Harm Reduction Treatment

The Strategic Framework “ Integrating Mental Health Promotion” ( ) Key Priority Areas n Building & Strengthening Mental Health Promotion n Addressing Co-Existing Drug & Alcohol & Mental Health Problems n Peer Education Growth & Sustainability n Maintaining & Enhancing Agency Governance n Workforce Development & Support Revised Model of Service Delivery

CONTINUUM OF DRUG USE No drug use………experimental use……….regular use………problematic Health Promotion Intervention Counselling Community Education Harm Reduction Treatment Mental Health Promotion

The Project Plan Implementation of Key Components n Workforce Development & Support n Building & Strengthening Mental Health Promotion into Existing Drug & Alcohol Programs (Peer Education)

 Clear direction/non prescriptive  Flexibility – community development  Allowing for staff autonomy & ownership

Importance of Culture & Climate & Shared Vision  Organisational culture  Shared values/beliefs  Innovation  Motivated/passionate  Embrace change

Reflection: Leadership  Leadership for organisational change  Enhancement of health service  Provide leadership in terms of consultation, planning, vision, and strategies  FOCUS on “here and now” – learnt that staff on the ground think 3 months forward  STRATEGY: Annual operational plan “too big” Bring down to quarterly activities Reward small achievements!

Reflection: Management  Human Relations approach  Systemic Theory  Provides for a supportive environment whilst still providing structure/direction  Encourages staff participation in decision-making  Common criticism in the literature that it dismisses conflict within the organisation as being non-productive  Need to balance organisational goals with individual workers’ goals

Promote Learning Environment  Build trust, supportive culture  Key focus area in plan – staff professional development and support in regards to mental health promotion  Need skills/knowledge to implement change required  Need support/mentoring to apply theory to practice  Identified professional development needs via performance reviews  Developed CoMorbidity Professional Development Plan (individual/team) supported with Commonwealth funding  Autonomy to identify own options to meet learning needs  Developed pre/post survey to assess professional learning & support outcomes

Developing Leadership & Management Skills Challenges:  Time Constraints  Lack of supportive infrastructure in the NGO sector  Changing Roles of Management (administrative vs service delivery balance) Reflection:  Lack of insight/understanding by non-management roles

Project Achievements  Establishment of local mental health/drug and alcohol network  Mental health resource developed in partnership with mental health/drug and alcohol network (to be published January 2009)  Consultation/needs assessment with clients, families, community to inform program development  Increased community education programs delivered in regards to drugs and alcohol and mental health  Implementation of the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Tool (DDCAT) to assess current agency capability across program areas  Urban Development Pilot Project completed in 2008 – integrating mental health promotion into MDECC’s Drug Peer Education Model

Project Achievements  CoMorbidity – Enhanced Services Grant (Commonwealth Dept of Health & Ageing)  Amphetamine Type Stimulants Program Grant Recipient (Commonwealth Dept of Health & Ageing  Staff CoMorbidity professional development plan developed and supported by Commonwealth funding  Group mentoring provided to program staff by Mental Health Consultant  Pending recruitment of Staff Specialist/RMO Psychiatrist to provide onsite mental health assessments at MDECC  Revised Drug & Alcohol Counsellor position to include service development in regards to CoMorbidity  Expanded MDECC service delivery to include a secondary site dedicated to Health Promotion

Policy & Advocacy Leadership  Another dimension in health service delivery  Multi levels – community, agency, NGO sector, Government level, political agenda  Network of Alcohol & Drug Agencies (NADA) – Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee  Proactive agendas of health promotion & CoMorbidity  Responsive agendas of compliance overburden, adequate & sustainable resourcing for the NGO sector

Desired Outcomes n Leadership for Organisational Change n Contribution to Drug & Alcohol/Mental Health Reform Agenda n A New Dimension in Health Service Delivery

Kerri Lawrence Manager, MDECC Sydney