Journal on Developmental Disabilities
Le journal sur les handicaps du développement

 Volume 10, No. 1 other issues

Dual Diagnosis and Access to Services

Yee Hong Chia and Yona Lunsky

Abstract

Persons with a dual diagnosis have a complex spectrum of needs, including mental health needs that are not currently met with existing first-line and intensive services. The present study looks at the areas of concern that parental caregivers have in regard to accessing services for their adult children with a dual diagnosis. A number of issues that affect the ability to meet the health needs of persons with a dual diagnosis were identified by the caregivers. Their experiences point to a need for: 1) maintenance of open communication between both health and social service providers, and the clients with a dual diagnosis and their families; and 2) improvement in the availability and accessibility of services, including emergency psychiatric services for handling crisis situations, and programs beyond school age. Greater awareness of dual diagnosis among the public at large and better support for caregivers are also needed.

download >>

^ top
copyright February, 2005. Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities.  All rights reserved.