This introductory module provides a practical foundation for working confidently with people who experience co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns. It is designed for the full range of practitioners working across the ACT service ecosystem - no specialist dual-diagnosis background is required.

What we'll cover:

What co-occurring conditions are, how common they are, and the real-world impact on people accessing services
The guiding principles that underpin effective, ethical practice with this population
Models of care - what works, what doesn't, and why collaborative responses outperform siloed or sequential approaches
Trauma-informed care: what it means in practice and how to apply it in your day-to-day work
Coordinating care across sectors - collaboration, communication, and warm referral
Looking after yourself: self-care strategies for practitioners working with complexity

By the end of this session participants will:

Have a stronger understanding of co-occurring presentations and why they require a distinct approach
Know the key principles and models that guide best-practice integrated care
Feel more confident applying trauma-informed and person-centred approaches in your role
Have practical strategies for cross-sector collaboration and self-care that you can use immediately

Who should attend:

This session is open to all practitioners working in or alongside the ACT AOD, mental health, primary care and community service sectors - including frontline workers, peer workers, case managers, social workers, counsellors, team leaders and managers.

Details:

Duration: 3 hours
Format: In-person workshop

Contact the host of Foundations of Co-Occurring Practice | Alliance Training Module #1