In September, we were pleased to present the Breaking Barriers Symposium in partnership with SANDAS, as an opportunity to bring together the frontline workers, team leaders and managers of the alcohol and other drug and mental health sectors, and explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
Following the opening address by the Minister for Health, the first session presented by Paula Ross from 360Edge explored ways to stay persistent when working with clients with co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions. Paula discussed the potential for integration across legal, housing and other sectors as possibly more appropriate than mental health, however felt that collaborating more with the mental health sector whilst maintaining specialisation, having clarity around models of care, and improving clinical pathways and policies at an organisational level rather than a practitioner level were key steps to moving forward.
The Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allan delivered a fireside chat, answering questions and comparing the comprehensive psychosocial services delivered by NGOs and Peer Support Services as the handymen that fix everything, and the importance of the unmet need for psychosocial support services being adequately funded.
Molly and Lizzie from our own Lived Experience Workforce Program, presented on LEWP’s suite of co-designed education, training and work-ready resources, followed by a deep-dive into the lived experience of Relationships Australia’s Gambling Harm Panel. Presentations on navigating NGO and public mental health services, and AOD services were followed by Vita Berghout, DASSA Co-morbidity Specialist exploring the neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology of drugs and alcohol.
Overall, a high quality range of speakers shared knowledge relevant to both sectors, and as a networking event, it was great to see so many business cards swapped.
