What is the National Comorbidity Initiative?
The National Comorbidity Initiative aims to improve service co-ordination and treatment outcomes for people with coexisting mental health and substance use disorders.
The initiative focuses on the following priority areas:
- raising awareness of comorbidity among clinicians/health workers and promoting examples of good practice resources/models;
- providing support to general practitioners and other health workers to improve treatment outcomes for comorbid clients;
- facilitating resources and information for consumers; and
- improving data systems and collection methods within the mental health and alcohol and other drugs sectors to manage comorbidity more effectively.
Responsibility for the National Comorbidity Initiative rests with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
Comorbidity of mental disorders and substance use disorders is common and is often associated with poor treatment outcomes, severe cause of illness and high service utilisation. Comorbid disorders are often not diagnosed and, because of the nature of their problems, these people are also harder to treat. This presents significant challenges with respect to the identification, prevention and management of people with comorbid disorders.
Who benefits?
People with substance abuse problems and associated mental problems will benefit from the National Comorbidity Initiative through raised awareness of comorbidity among clinicians/health workers and promotion of good practice resources/models.
General practitioners and other health workers will benefit from the initiative through support, upskilling and improved knowledge in the delivery of better treatment outcomes for comorbid clients.
The general public will also benefit from the resources and information for consumers developed through the National Comorbidity Initiative.
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What will the National Comorbidity Initiative deliver?
Work is underway to implement a number of new programs, including:
- evaluation of treatment service models to inform good practice in various treatment settings and improve treatment outcomes for people with comorbidity;
- development of national clinical guidelines for the treatment of comorbidity;
- funding clinical supervision for psychologists and social workers undertaking placements in alcohol and other drugs services; and
- funding of comorbidity scholarships for the professional development of alcohol and other drug workers and mental health workers.
Guidelines have been developed under the National Comorbidity Initiative for consumer and carer involvement in comorbidity treatment to ensure that plans are designed to address effectively the needs of consumers and the role of carers. The consumer and carer guidelines are currently undergoing dissemination via CD-ROM.
How does it work?
The National Comorbidity Initiative is delivered by a number of contracted service providers nationally on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
More information on the National Comorbidity Initiative projects can be found from the Department of Health and Ageing National Comorbidity Initiative website at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-comorbidity-index.htm#projects
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What funding is the Australian Government committing?
The National Comorbidity Initiative has been allocated $17.9 million over seven years from 2003-04 to 2009-10.
When did the National Comorbidity Initiative start?
The National Comorbidity Initiative was announced as part of the 2003-04 Federal Budget.
What's been done in the past?
A number of projects have been completed or are underway, such as:
- PsyCheck screening tool - a screening and psychosocial intervention tool for mental disorders;
- Can Do - promotes better management of substance use and mental health in general practice;
- an information brochure, feeling good? - aims to increase the understanding of comorbidity among young people; and
- book of family stories, in my life - aims to break down the barriers and stigma associated with drug and alcohol use and mental health disorders.
Further information
More information on these and other National Comorbidity Initiative projects can be found from the Department of Health and Ageing National Comorbidity Initiative website at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-comorbidity-index.htm#projects
Page currency, Latest update: 20 September, 2007