23 January 2013: This report, by Laura David of the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network, documents a 2011 exploratory research project around carers’ experience of providing care and support to family members with co-occurring severe mental health and substance use issues (‘dual diagnosis’) and their engagement in mental health service delivery.

This topical report, funded by the Victorian Department of Health, builds on qualitative interviews with carers from three Melbourne mental health services and follow-up discussion groups with mental health service staff.

The report offers valuable:

• Carer interview findings
• Staff discussion group findings
• Implications and recommendations: 10 recommendations are made on strategies for strengthened carer engagement with MH and AOD services and improved collaboration and integration between the MH and AOD sectors.
• Key implications for decision makers
  

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