NCJ Number
210702
Date Published
2004
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This report describes the barriers to service provision in Australia for youth with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Abstract
For youth with co-existing disorders, accessing services can be compounded by a variety of complex factors and structural barriers, including homelessness, poor problem-solving skills, and social isolation. The goal of the current study was to not only identify the barriers to service provision for this population, but also to identify strategies for overcoming these barriers and best practice models for working with these clients. Research involved reviewing the relevant literature and documents, mapping current State and Territory services and activities, and identifying best practice models through brief case studies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 140 stakeholders between November 2003 and March 2004. Following the introduction and methodology presented in chapter 1, chapter 2 describes the policy context in which the study was carried out and identifies the key issues under examination. Chapters 3 and 4 analyze current practice and the barriers to service access and provision. Chapter 5 presents strategies for overcoming the barriers discussed in the previous chapters as well as the initiatives undertaken at the State, Territory, and Federal levels. Chapter 6 describes best practices from around the world and within Australia while chapter 7 presents the main findings of the research and offers recommendations for future directions. The main barriers to service provision facing youth with co-occurring disorders are identified as homelessness, violent behavior, appointment-based service provision, and a lack of specialists and dedicated resources. Recommendations cover the areas of policy, service providers, early intervention, education and training, and continuing care and recovery. Figures, references, appendixes