Submissions and reports
A selection of submissions and reports produced by the Matilda Centre for external organisations
Service_
Resources for clinicians
Training, resources and webinars for clinicians
National evidence-based guidelines, online resources and evidence-based training to support and upskill healthcare professionals.
We have a developed a range of training programs and resources for clinicians and health professionals:
Visit comorbidityguidelines.org.au to access the online guidelines, training and other resources.
The Guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings (3rd edition) are available in the following formats:
- Guidelines on co-occurring conditions (full) (pdf, 3.5MB)
- Guidelines on co-occurring conditions (sections) (pdf, 0.1–1.6MB)
- Build your own PDF document
The online training program has been developed to assist alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers who work with clients experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions, and is based on the Guidelines on co-occurring conditions.
- Cost: FREE
- Length: 12 training modules that can be completed at your own pace in any order
- Suitable for: There are no prerequisites to enrol in the training program; however, it is assumed that participants will have an understanding of AOD use.
- Outcomes:
- Increased knowledge and awareness of mental health conditions
- Improved confidence in working with clients with co-occurring mental health conditions
- Improved ability to identify mental health conditions
- Improved ability to recognise and respond to physical health comorbidities
- Understand delivery of a coordinated care approach to clients with co-occurring mental health conditions
- Understand management and treatment of co-occurring mental health conditions
- Improved ability to manage worker self-care.
Further information and access to training modules is available via the Guidelines website.
The National Comorbidity Guidelines Face-to-Face Training Program was developed as an accompaniment to the Comorbidity Guidelines and online training program, and can be delivered in person or online. Together, these resources aim to provide alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers with up-to-date, evidence-based information on the management of co-occurring mental health conditions in AOD treatment settings. They are based on the best available evidence and were developed in collaboration with clinicians, researchers, consumers and carers from across Australia.
The intended outcomes from the face-to-face training are:
- increased knowledge and awareness of how to identify, manage and treat co-occurring mental health conditions in AOD treatment settings
- improved confidence and skills of AOD workers
- increased utilisation of evidence-based care.
Who is the National Comorbidity Guidelines Face-to-Face Training Program suitable for?
The face-to-face training program was designed to meet the needs of workers in the AOD sector in managing co-occurring AOD and mental health conditions. The training is suitable for workers from a range of practice backgrounds, and with varying levels of experience.
Program modules
The training program comprises seven half-day modules. The first two modules, ‘Understanding Comorbidity’ and ‘Screening and Assessment’ are core modules that should be offered to all AOD workers and delivered before Modules 3 to 7. Modules 3 to 7 are optional modules and can be chosen based on relevance to the workplace, workforce and the organisation’s client profile. Module 3 addresses treatment approaches. Modules 4 to 7 address the most prevalent mental health disorders in AOD treatment settings. The complete program could be delivered in three and a half days, or module by module over a period of weeks or months as required.
- Module 1 Understanding Comorbidity (core module)
- Module 2 Screening and Assessment (core module)
- Module 3 Applying Motivational Enhancement, Cognitive and Behavioural Approaches to Co-Occurring Disorders
- Module 4 Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar Disorder
- Module 5 Personality Disorders
- Module 6 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Module 7 Psychosis, Eating Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Skills required by the training program facilitator
Training facilitators are required to have successfully completed a Comorbidity Guidelines train-the-trainer workshop; have completed tertiary training in a relevant field; have a comprehensive knowledge of comorbidity; be skilled in AOD and mental health interventions; and possess sound training skills.
For more information about the face-to-face training and trainers near you, visit the Guidelines website or contact training@comorbidityguidelines.org.au.
Train-the-trainer workshops have been developed in collaboration with 360Edge, for trainers who have the capacity to deliver training within their workplace. Trainers will become registered trainers with the Matilda Centre, able to provide evidence-based training for AOD workers to improve their capacity to manage co-occurring mental disorders.
Where: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, train-the-trainer workshops are currently only available online.
Who should attend: Training facilitators are required to have successfully completed tertiary training in a relevant field; have a comprehensive knowledge of comorbidity and/or experience working with people experiencing co-occurring mental and substance use disorders; be skilled in substance use and mental health interventions; possess sound training skills, and have the capacity to deliver workplace training.
Skills gained: Trainers will become registered trainers through the Matilda Centre, and subject to agreeing to Terms and Conditions, able to deliver the National Comorbidity Guidelines Face-to-Face Training Program. Participants of the Trainer workshop will receive a certificate of completion, which depending on their registration provider, may be used towards continuing professional development.
Pilot Train-the-Trainer program: If you took part in one of our Train-the-Trainer Workshops in 2021, you were part of our 'pilot' program and your licence has expired. If you haven't already renewed it with us, you can do so on a perpetual basis by paying a nominal renewal fee and agreeing to the renewal Train-the-Trainer Terms and Conditions. Alternatively, you can contact us at training@comorbidityguidelines.org.au and we will organise your renewal. Please note that you will not be able to keep training using the training materials unless you renew your licence.
Find out more and apply for upcoming workshops at the Guidelines website or contact training@comorbidityguidelines.org.au.
The Guidelines on co-occurring conditions has additional resources to help clinicians, including:
- Client worksheets
- Screeners
- Assessments
- Evidence-based practice webinars
- Cognitive behavioural techniques
- Anxiety management techniques
- Referral pro-forma
- Links to useful resources, guidelines, research and information organisations
Visit the Guidelines website to access these resources.
COPE program
Concurrent treatment of PTSD and substance use disorders using prolonged exposure (COPE): a treatment manual.
Based on a study conducted by our researchers we've developed the Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) Program.
This is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy program designed for patients who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a co-occurring alcohol or drug use disorder. The therapist guide (for clinicians) and patient workbook are available to order online.
Researchers at the Matilda Centre are currently recruiting adolescents and young adults for a radomised controlled trial, COPE-A. We are comparing the efficiency of two psychological therapies for co-occurring substance use and traumatic stress among young people aged 12-21 years. Young people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event may be eligible for up to 16 sessions with a psychologist as part of the study.
Cracks in the Ice for health professionals
The Cracks in the Ice online community toolkit has a dedicated section for health professionals to help guide professionals in their practice when faced with issues related to ice (crystal methamphetamine) and provides access to a range of factsheets, guidelines, webinars and online resources for professionals working across a range of sectors, including:
- General Practitioners
- Frontline workers in hospital settings and emergency departments
- Frontline workers in alcohol and other drug settings
- Mental health practitioners (eg psychologists, social workers and counsellors)
- Paramedics
- Police Services
Explore the resources at Cracks in the Ice.
PreVenture training for mental health and education professionals
PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses brief, personality-focused workshops to promote mental health and delay substance use among youth. The program aims to equip young people with self-efficacy and cognitive behavioural skills to help them cope with the numerous developmental challenges that adolescents face, such as academic stress, peer pressure, interpersonal conflict, and identity development. It is delivered in two 90-minute small group workshops by trained facilitators, fostering connections between peers in a supportive environment.
The PreVenture program has a solid evidence base, having been tested in multiple randomised controlled trials internationally. These trials demonstrate that PreVenture delays and/or reduces substance use and mental health problems. In Australia, reductions in drinking and alcohol-related harms have been observed 7 years after the program, and reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms, conduct problems, tobacco smoking, bullying, and suicidal ideation, have been sustained for 3 years post-intervention.
Personality factors play a key role in the choices people make and how they respond to stress. The PreVenture program is unique in that it focuses on the specific personality traits that have the potential to influence adolescent risk-taking behaviours and mental health. When understood and properly channelled, these personality traits can be beneficial in helping young people achieve their goals in a positive way. PreVenture was designed by researchers at the University of Montreal, and adapted for Australian youth by researchers at the University of Sydney.
Our PreVenture facilitator training workshop enables you to implement the PreVenture program in your service or school.
- Length: 2 day training workshop (in-person or online; $750 per person) plus optional additional supervision if of interest.
- Suitable for: Mental health professionals, teachers, counsellors, social workers, youth workers, or student support officers employed by an educational institution or government department.
- Outcomes: Upon completion of training you will be able to run PreVenture in your service or school.*
*Please note, there are additional program costs, including the purchase of student manuals, digital screeners, and yearly certification fees.
Preventure Australia is the only team in Australia that carries out accredited training for mental health and education professionals to implement the PreVenture program.
For more information about PreVenture please contact Dr Erin Kelly at erin.k@sydney.edu.au or read more at preventureprogram.com
To register for Preventure training in Australia please contact us at aus@preventureprogram.com or visit Positive Choices for more information.
Access the Primary Health Network webinar series playlist on YouTube
You can find recordings and PDF handouts from our previous webinars below. For more information about the PHN webinar series contact us.
Webinar 12, recorded 26 February 2020
Webinar 11, recorded 27 november 2019
Webinar 10, recorded 11 September 2019
Webinar 9, recorded 10 July 2019
Webinar 8, recorded 28 May 2019
Webinar 7, recorded 3 April 2019
Webinar 6, recorded 12 February 2019
Webinar 5, recorded 4 December 2018
Webinar 4, recorded 5 December 2017
Webinar 3, recorded 21 November 2017
Webinar 2, recorded 7 November 2017