Outline

This course is designed for workers who may come into contact with people who have co-existing substance use and mental illness issues.  It is suitable for those workers who already have a basic level of understanding about drugs and mental illness.

Aims:

To give practitioners a thorough understanding of the issues associated with working with people living with co-existing substance use and mental illness issues and offer ways of working with this client group.

Following completion of this course participants will:

• Explore the implications for practice of the proposed changes in legislation to the Mental Health Act 1983
• Have considered the importance of risk assessment in the management of ‘dual diagnosis’
• Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues of living with ‘dual diagnosis’
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key role of networking with services to meet client need
• Have opportunities to review their current practice and build on transferable skills

Reflecting DANOS competency areas  AA2, AA3, AA4, AB1, AB2, AC1, AI1