SUMHNET

MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any individual who has a personal or professional interest in the area of Dual Diagnosis.

Significant stakeholders, including service consumers, carers, mental health staff, alcohol & drug clinicians, and workers from relevant non-clinical agencies, are encouraged to participate.

Organisations are not eligible for membership.

Attendees are free to express their own personal views rather than the views of the organisation that they represent.

There are no subscription fees.

STRUCTURE
SUMHNET is auspiced by VICSERV.

SUMHNET has an executive comprising a minimum of four members, nominated and elected by the membership for a term of twelve months. This committee is responsible for the administration of the SUMHNET meetings.

Administration functions and costs are shared variously between the auspicing body and the organisations of the members.

MEETINGS
Meetings are held every two months and are hosted by organisations of participating members.

Meetings alternate between rural and metropolitan venues.

VISION
SUMHNET is committed to the continuing improvement of quality of life for people with a Dual Diagnosis.

We envisage SUMHNET contributing to the development of dual diagnosis services, prevention and treatment practices that are:

• timely
• appropriate
• effective, and
• coordinated

MISSION
SUMHNET is a network of the broadest possible range of stakeholders that provides members with opportunities for professional development, a forum for the exchange of views and a vehicle to influence decision-making with regard to Dual Diagnosis.

AIMS

AIM 1 - Objective One.
Actively encourage broad representation in the membership of SUMHNET

• Ensure rotation of venues between hosting organisations and between rural and metropolitan sites.
• Promote SUMHNET and its meetings through a variety of media including the Internet, mail-outs, pamphlets, at educational forums and other events and by word-of-mouth.
• Conduct a regular review of the attending membership and target unrepresented stakeholders

AIM 1 - Objective Two.
Provide a network for group members to exchange views and obtain peer support.

• Ensure a culture of respect for the views of others at meetings.
• Ensure there is an opportunity for each member to express their view.
• Identify members to take responsibility for specific sub-groups and functions of SUMHNET
• Provide a forum for information sharing, peer support and professional development.

AIM 2 - Objective One.
Promote awareness of individual projects and programs to a wider audience.

Possible Strategies

• Provide opportunities for members to raise awareness of their organisation’s projects and programs via the circulation of written reports and the opportunity for presentations on individual projects.
• Members of the group may use the group to get feedback on particular issues, problems, project development.
• Exploration of alternative options for information sharing, eg e-mail, Midas Website
• Facilitate separate meetings as peer support & supervision meetings

AIM 2- Objective Two.
Facilitate and promote professional development activities

• Circulate and present current literature
• Promote and contribute to training, education and research.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Invite guest speakers to SUMHNET meetings
• Organise and support conferences and symposia
• Inform and contribute to the process of policy and service development, implementation and evaluation in relation to dual diagnosis.

AIM 3- Objectives One, Two, Three & Four

One- Promote awareness of relevant issues

Two- Raise the public profile of individual Dual Diagnosis projects and programs

Three- Cultivate communication with service planners and decision-makers.

Four-Communicate with media in order to promote or respond to media coverage of relevant issues.

Possible Strategies

• Develop and maintain contact with relevant Department of Human Services personnel
• Develop and disseminate reports and position papers on relevant issues
• Ensure representation on relevant working parties and reference groups
• Develop and maintain a database of relevant media contacts
• Develop media releases on specific issues and in response to events attracting public interest