The Richmond Fellowship of NSW (RFNSW): Young Women’s Dual Diagnosis Project

RFNSW Areas of activity

“Supporting young women with co-existing mental health and substance abuse issues on their journey towards recovery.”

Download the 2010 Forum Flyer

What is Dual Diagnosis?

The term ‘Dual Diagnosis’ (sometimes known as co-morbidity) is a way of describing a situation wherein a person is experiencing mental illness and at the same time has issues with alcohol or other drugs.

An example of this could be a person with a chronic psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia that also has substance abuse problems with alcohol. Another example would be a person experiencing depression who also uses cannabis.

In ‘Dual Diagnosis: a resource for caseworkers” (May 2007) the NSW Department of Community Services states:

“Up to 75 percent of clients with drug and alcohol problems also experience mental health problems, most commonly anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression.”

Dual diagnosis is a complex situation for anyone to face. It also presents great difficulties for families, carers and friends of the person experiencing these challenges.

Within our communities we know there are some groups of people who are more likely than others to experience dual diagnosis. New research from the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) shows an estimated 50 percent of homeless people are dependent on alcohol and drugs.

The recent “Discussion Paper on NSW Domestic and Family Violence Strategic Framework”, produced by the NSW Government Office for Women’s Policy notes that the social and health effects of domestic violence include:

“…mental health problems, physical stress symptoms, suicide attempts, alcohol and drug misuse, reduced coping and problem solving skills, unemployment and homelessness.”

Risk factors for these people are broad and diverse, as are the challenges they face. However, despite being clearly indentified as people with the greatest need, those with a dual diagnosis may be the ones least likely to get help from health care services.

The Mental Health Council of Australia stated in its submission ‘The DDA as a Tool for Change’ (2001):

“People with a dual diagnosis are recognised as having poorer health outcomes including increased experience of psychosis, poorer treatment compliance, housing instability and homelessness, medical problems, poor management skills, greater use of crisis orientated services, greater risk of suicide and attempts, increased hospitalisation, are difficult to engage, and have a poorer prognosis.”

The Richmond Fellowship of NSW is committed to exploring solutions for the most vulnerable members of our community. To this end The Richmond Fellowship sought and was successful in obtaining funding for an exciting and challenging project: The Young Women’s Dual Diagnosis Project.

NSW Department of Community Services provided funding via the Western Sydney Area Assistance scheme for a total of four years, commencing in 2008. The project is focused on a specific target group, which is young women aged 17 – 25 yrs in the Penrith area who have a dual diagnosis.

The Young Women’s Dual Diagnosis Project

The Young Women’s Dual Diagnosis Project looks at gaps in service delivery, explores ways to support and encourage partnerships between service organisations, and facilitates the delivery of training to local services.

In collaboration with other services, it aims to carry out a comprehensive campaign incorporating community forums and editorials in the local press that will create greater awareness of the issues affecting young women with dual diagnosis.

The project has initiated forums, workshops and hands-on projects for young women, and facilitated new educational and training opportunities.

If you would like more about the Young Women’s Dual Diagnosis Project, feel free to contact the Project Worker, Sarah Lambert, via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0417 019 173.

Members of the 2009 Steering Committee include:

Gareth Dawes, Forensic Psychologist, Nepean Centre for Addiction Medicine

Barbara Shorthouse, Nepean Interyouth

Brenda Spencer, Mental Health Carer Advocate, South West Area Health Service

Jenny Norman, Dual Diagnosis Project, Hawkesbury Community Health

Joanne Dunlop, Private Rental Specialist, Housing NSW

Julie Callaghan, Young Parent Programme Coordinator, Nepean Youth Accommodation Service

Kate Weston, Youth Health & Chronic Disease Management, Nepean Division of GP

Laraine Smith, Team Leader, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services West Cluster

Laura Williams, Youth Services Development Officer, Penrith City Council

Linda Hayman, Youth Development Worker, SPYNS Inc

Simone Angus, Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service

Sonja Golovchenko, Western Sydney Drug & Alcohol Resource Centre Inc.

Vesna Kapetanovic, Community Projects Officer, Department of Community Services (DoCS)

Vicki Wilson, Community Projects Officer - Penrith City Council

Young Women's Dual Diagnosis Project

1/80 Henry Street

Penrith NSW 2750

Project worker: Sarah Lambert

Tel: 04170 19173 or (02) 4720 4506

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fax: (02) 4720 4589

The NSW Government, through a grant from the Area Assistance Scheme, supports this project.