The views of consumers and frontline workers regarding coordination among addiction and mental health services

Abstract

Background: Increasing co-ordination among addiction and mental health services is often recommended to improve service delivery for people with co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders.

Aims: Regarding their experiences in the addiction and mental health systems, and the development of a model of co-ordination in their community, this study compares the views of 16 consumers and 26 frontline workers to the current literature.

Methods: Consumers participated in one of four focus groups and frontline workers participated in a semi-structured individual interview.

Results: Consumers and frontline workers placed a higher priority on training workers and providing consumers with a welcoming place to go than on co-ordination. Consumers expressed concern about workers sharing client information. Consumers underscored the importance of peer support groups, and the formal system facilitating the development and maintenance of peer supports. Consumers offered suggestions for how the systems could more effectively obtain their input while frontline workers demonstrated disinterest in participating in planning initiatives.

Conclusions: Several of the findings are not reflected in the current literature. Funders and agencies might benefit from obtaining input from their local consumers and frontline workers as their views could influence the focus of community initiatives. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Keywords:

• Addictions
• mental health
• dual disorders
• co-ordination
• peer support
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

A special thank you to the research participants and to: Angelina Chiu, Dr. Gerry Cooper, Judy Doan, Anne Doherty, Mary Hopkins, and Jerry Jormakka.