As Victoria enters the next phase of mental health reform, VAADA is proud to launch our latest report. Building Bridges: Opportunities for Alcohol and Other Drug sector collaboration to enhance outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health and AOD needs. This paper builds on previous work and aims to ensure that integrated, person-centred care becomes the standard across Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system.
Despite more than $11 billion invested in Victoria’s mental health reform since 2021, there is little evidence that outcomes have improved for people living with both mental health conditions and AOD issues.
Key findings from VAADA’s recent 2024 report on Mental Health Presentations in the AOD Sector revealed:
- 83% of AOD service users have a diagnosed or symptomatic mental health condition
- 73% of clinical time is spent on mental health interventions
- Services are providing, on average, 50 hours per week of unfunded mental health crisis support
AOD services are already on the frontline of co-occurring care. Yet, they remain under-resourced and under-recognised in mental health reform processes.
Through sector-wide consultations and alignment with the Department of Health reform priorities, this report identifies 12 key areas for action where the AOD sector can help lead meaningful change and move beyond silos and towards a genuinely integrated mental health and wellbeing system.
Let’s build bridges, not barriers.