Victorian Dual Disability Service (VDDS)

The Victorian Dual Disability Service (VDDS) is a joint mental health initiative between St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Melbourne Health. This multidisciplinary service operates within the mental health policy framework in Victoria.

The Victorian Dual Disability Service is a state-wide mental health service for people with a dual disability. A dual disability is a person living with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder and who also develops a mental illness.

VDDS believe that people with a dual disability should have access to the best possible mental health care. The team work with other specialist mental health services providing assessment and consultation services in Victoria to assess, treat and appropriately manage people with a dual disability.

VDDS is responsible for:

• Developing a model of best practice
• Providing assessment and consultation services to staff within the Victorian Area Mental Health Services
• Promoting access to Victorian Area Mental Health Services for consumers with a dual disability
• Facilitating partnerships and collaborative treatment planning through consultation and liaison
  

This service is people who:

• Live in Victoria
  
• Aged 16 years and over
  
• Have a mental illness or mental disorder
  
• Have a known or suspected intellectual disability

This is a free service.