Established in 1997, Weave’s Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program works with adolescents and young adults aged 12-28 years experiencing co-existing mental health, alcohol and other drug challenges to provide practical and therapeutic support.
Speak Out works with young people (aged 12-28) with co-occurring mental health and alcohol and drug-related challenges. This is important, as many young people miss out on vital supports when services are only equipped to respond to one (not both) of the co-existing challenges.
Speak Out uses a holistic model of care that responds to the issues that young people identify as their priorities. Support for achieving mental health, alcohol and drug outcomes is woven into the overall program of support, which can also include support around housing, justice system engagement, employment and education, family relationships, and social and cultural connection.
Weave’s Speak Out Program recently undertook an external evaluation To read the Executive Summary of the Evaluation Report, prepared by Hecate Consulting, please click here.
Some key findings from the evaluation include:
- That Speak Out addresses a critical need in the local community, and is especially important given the paucity of other services providing integrated, holistic support for young people aged up to 28 years with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol challenges.
- The model and the practice of Speak Out is consistent with research and guidelines on good practice when working with people with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol challenges.
- The program is particularly remarkable for its ability to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and to provide them with culturally safe and effective support.
“I’ve never, I’ve never felt more comfortable, welcomed, listened to than being in this program. They value our voice and they value our opinion.”- Speak Out client
- Weave client
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe someone who is experiencing both mental health and substance use issues. Some examples include:
- A mental health issue that leads to alcohol and/or other drug use
- Substance use issues that affects mental health and wellbeing
Our pioneering program, which won the award for Excellence in Community Drug Treatment at the NADA Awards in 2016, continues to deliver responsive, holistic, effective support to young people experiencing dual diagnosis, helping them deal with practical issues and receive trauma informed care.
The program offers opportunities for people to experiences themselves differently and engage in creative projects, events and group work programs — this gives young people the chance to build relationships, and connect with themselves, and the broader community.
144
Number of clients supported through intensive casework and counselling 2022 - 2023
55
Clients supported through Drug Health Outreach Counselling 2022 - 2023
65%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients
Award Winners
Our Weave Youth Advocates on an award at the Betty Makin Youth Awards for Mad Pride in the category: "Individuals or groups who have made significant contributions in the past year to assist in building positive mental health or connection with their community through creative means"
Providing Trauma-Informed Care: A Weave Case Study for the NSW Mental Health Commission
Find Us
Open Monday to Friday 9:30am – 5pm.
Phone: 02 9318 0539
Address: Weave HQ, Waterloo | Gadigal Land | Corner Elizabeth & Allen Streets, Waterloo, NSW, 2017
