Concurrent Disorders Priority Knowledge Exchange Projects

The Concurrent Disorders (CD) Priority area has a goal to improve the ability of service providers in Ontario and the capacity of the Mental Health and Addiction systems to meet the needs of people affected by CD which includes family members.

Listed here are a number of projects and activities under development in Ontario that will help us to achieve our goal.

Family Project
The project is assessing the effectiveness of a 12-session CD education and support program for family members who care for a person living with a CD. A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders (a book for families) and a Faciliators’ Guide (for service providers who are facilitating the group sessions) and are available online. A print version of A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders is available from Publication Services.

System Planning
Across Ontario, nine CAMH Addiction and Mental Health System Planning Consultants are working with key stakeholder groups to improve system integration in communities and provide services to people living with CD. They are supported by Increasing Linkages Between Addiction and Mental Health Services in Ontario  (PDF).

Program Models
The CD Priority Knowledge Exchange offers a resource for addiction and mental health agencies across Ontario.  Concurrent Disorders Treatment: Models For Treating Varied Populations (PDF) reviews eight American and seven Canadian CD treatment models. The report provides insights from these programs and reflects services aimed at a variety of target populations (youth, aboriginal people, women, people who have been incarcerated, people who are homeless and those living in rural areas). The document was developed as a resource for service providers, planning bodies, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care staff members and CAMH System Planning Consultants. 

The Housing Project
The Concurrent Disorders & Housing Project team is developing an information resource for housing providers to address barriers to stable housing for people living with concurrent disorders. A needs survey with housing providers and interviews with people living with concurrent disorders, and family members, were recently conducted and a Concurrent Disorders and Housing Project Needs Report (PDF) produced. Key findings will assist the team in the development of this learning tool.

Training Strategy Project
Building on recommendations from its earlier report, Enhancing Concurrent Disorders Knowledge in Ontario (PDF), the Training Strategy Project team focused on increasing the amount of concurrent disorders information taught in community college programs throughout Ontario. As a result, resource packages were developed and delivered to instructors in a wide variety of programs, with a follow-up survey determining the most useful resources. Concurrent Disorders: An Introductory Leaning Module for Post Secondary Institutions (PDF) was developed and piloted in 6 community colleges and the final version is now being widely distributed throughout community colleges in Ontario. This CD learning Module includes slides, activities and information for the instructors, as well as additional resources.

Screening Assessment Tools Project
The need for screening tools and appropriate assessment processes for CD has been identified. The extent of existing screening and assessment in Addictions & Mental Health agencies in Ontario was established through the Provincial CD Tools Survey (PDF). The goal is to increase clinical ability to identify those living with CD. An advisory committee (PDF) was developed to guide the project. A letter (PDF) was sent to all addiction and mental health agencies about plans for distributing screening information.

To provide Concurrent Disorders screening information for Addiction and Mental Health agencies, the project has released document Navigating Screening Options for Concurrent Disorders in English (PDF) It is also available in French: Méthodes de dépistage des troubles concomitants (PDF).

Screening Project
A pilot project conducted by Dr Brian Rush compared alternative approaches for screening for substance abuse in mental health services. The report " A Comparison of Alternative Approaches for Screening for Substance Abuse in Two Community Mental Health Services ." (PDF) is now available.

Stigma Project
Stigma is a barrier that prevents those living with CD from accessing services at mental health and addiction agencies. The project team has developed a presentation package,  Beyond the Label that agency staff can use to examine their values and attitudes about addiction and mental health. These values and attitudes will have an impact on people who would benefit from the services they provide.

CD Network  Ontario
A Concurrent Disorders Network has been developed with a mandate to recommend a best practice Concurrent Disorders provincial vision for Ontario, guiding policy development, planning, service delivery and system reorganization.  Terms of reference  (PDF) have also been developed for the group. The Concurrent Disorders Policy Framework has been developed and released in October 2005. The complete report is available as a PDF in both English and French.
 

• Print