Dual Diagnosis: Resources for Professionals

Welcome to the Dual Diagnosis Program web page for Professionals. Through this site you are able to access information about the Dual Diagnosis Program at CAMH, as well as other resources and articles.  Our goall is to develop and maintain a useful and up to date source of information for professionals on topics specifically related to intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. This is a developing site and if you are looking for a resource or know of one that should be included, we would appreciate hearing from you at susan_morris@camh.net

• Levels of Practice for Supporting Individuals with Dual Diagnosis (Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Needs)
  (PDF only; 230 KB)

The Training and Education Work Group of the Dual Diagnosis Implementation Committee of Toronto published this report in 2003. With the staff support of Jenny Carver, a cross sector multidisciplinary group representing developmental, mental health, colleges and university sectors developed this document to address attitudes, knowledge and skill requirements for the Generalist, the Advanced Generalist and the Specialist working in the field of dual diagnosis (intellectual disabilities and mental health needs.) It provides a common reference point for practitioners who want to develop their capacity, for training and education programs/courses to develop curriculum, for employers to plan staff development initiatives and as an advocacy tool to enhance system capacity through the development of formal education programs and standards of professional practice.

• Generalist Practice Level Knowledge and Skills Self Asssesment Tool  (PDF only; 53 KB)
  *Please note that this is not a CAMH publication

Published in 2004 by the Training and Education Work Group of the Dual Diagnosis Implementation Committee of Toronto. The tool can be used by providers accross the sectors to evaluate their skills. The tool was piloted by the developmental and mental health sectors. It has been found to be useful for personal self assessment, group assessment and/or to support pre-planning for workshops and training programs. The Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will also compile the results tool for your local group. Contact susan_morris@camh.net

• Guidelines for Managing the Client with Intellectual Disability in the Emergency Room Booklet
  • download the PDF version; 176 K
  • Order a copy from CAMH Publications
     

• These reports summarize findings from a two-phase study funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation on treatment of individuals with a dual diagnosis (developmental disability and psychiatric disorder) in Ontario’s specialty hospitals.

  The first phase focused on the prevalence of dual diagnosis in the specialty hospital system, and presented an overview of patient demographics, symptom profile, strengths and resources, and level of care required.
  Dual Diagnosis in Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals: A Population based study
  Year 1 Summary
  June 2003 Report (PDF only; 240 k)
  
  The Phase II study sought feedback from diverse stakeholder groups across the province in order to identify unique and/or regional issues and concerns, and to hear recommendations about how to improve dual diagnosis services across the province, particularly in relation to the role of speciality hospitals.
  
  Dual Diagnosis in Ontario's Specialty Hospitals-Phase II - Final Report (PDF only; 452 k)
  
   
• The Policy Guideline for the Provision of Services for Persons with a Dual Diagnosis - The Policy Guideline for the Provision of Services for Persons with a Dual Diagnosis were developed jointly by the Ministries of Health and Community and Social Services in the mid 1990's. They are the result of a joint strategy that was implemented in the early 1990's to bridge the gap between developmental and mental health services for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Despite its age, this document remains as the only joint expression by government regarding the provision of a continuum of services across the system. However since the publication of this document, the mental health and developmental sectors have embarked on various restructuring efforts where the needs of individuals with a dual diagnosis have been identified. Of particular note in this regard is the MCSS announcement in late 2004 regarding the closure of their remaining facilities by 2009 and the intent to develop specialized resources for the population of individuals with a developmental disability and co-existing mental health and/or behavioural challenges.

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