'Can Do' for CALD People - Foreword and Acknowledgements (PDF 177Kb)

Aim
To strengthen, support and network key stakeholders who deliver services to CALD People at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues in local areas to improve the capacity to effectively respond to the complexities of coexisting mental health and substance use.

Objectives
To build the capacity of the local primary health care workforce by delivering training to foster partnerships between general practitioners, allied health practitioners and other service providers involved in the provision of care for CALD People at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

‘Can Do’ Network Training learning objectives
The overall educational goal of this accredited training program is to provide general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers with specific knowledge and skills to work with people and their families and carers to improve mental and drug health.  Learning objectives aim to:

• increase the capacity of general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers to work with people with mental health and substance use issues
• increase awareness of the different needs of the population groups in their local area and how to access services specific to those needs
• increase knowledge and skills in recognition, management and care of people with mental health and substance use issues and the issues that are specific to each population group
• increase understanding of the role of families and carers in treatment of people with mental health and substance use issues and the support and understanding required by families and carers
• increase knowledge about health and community services at the local level and referral pathways for people with mental health and substance use issues.

Key learning objectives for this unit
On completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• demonstrate an increased awareness of CALD communities in Australia
• demonstrate and increased understanding of the mental health & substance use issues relevant to CALD individuals
• demonstrate an increased understanding of the different challenges that face voluntary vs involuntary immigrants in Australia
• identify why CALD individuals may use substances
• identify the risks and protection factors for CALD individuals associated with substance use
• demonstrate improve knowledge of strategies to prevent and address substance use issues in CALD communities
• identify health and community services at the local level, particularly those that engage with and provide support to CALD people
• demonstrate an increase in ability and confidence in developing appropriate pathways of referral and care for CALD people with mental health and substance use issues.

Key outcomes
The following are the desired key outcomes of ‘Can Do’ for CALD People:

• local partnerships and interagency collaboration are fostered
• professional networking is enhanced
• the needs of CALD people are understood
• shared care arrangements are understood and strengthened
• knowledge about local services is improved
• referral protocols and processes are identified
• care plans are streamlined
• stigma about working with people with mental health and substance use comorbidity and their families and carers is reduced.