Team Leader & Senior Dual Diagnosis Clinician Nexus Dual Diagnosis Consultation Service
Kevan has been employed at Nexus which is based at St Vincent’s Hospital since 2005 having previously worked in clinical mental health services. He has experience in community and inpatient settings across NSW and Victoria, as well as the UK. Kevan is currently a PhD candidate at Monash University.
His research is focused on the dual diagnosis resource the Reasons For Use Package. Kevan is currently Deputy Chair of the Yarra Mental Health Alliance and a member of the international body MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers). Kevan has been a regular Yarra Drug and Health Forum attender for over 15 years and joined the Executive in 2016.
Kevan strongly believes in the YDHF key approach of service users, community and service providers working together to improve outcomes. One of the central principles of dual diagnosis thinking is that co-occurring mental health, alcohol and other drugs and physical health issues are the expectation not the exception. Therefore holistic approaches as championed by the YDHF are needed rather than siloed thinking.
24 Feb
Victoria’s 10 Year AOD Strategy – Where Are the Opportunities?
The much-anticipated AOD Strategy has met a mixed reception. Are there opportunities within it for the AOD sector and others to really drive some of the changes which are needed? Join us for our next Community Forum. Speakers: Chris Christoforou,…
9 Feb
Homelessness and AOD Services – how can we be more accessible?
The stigma faced by people who use drugs and alcohol is compounded many times by homelessness or insecure housing. Join our next forum where we will hear from practitioners and a panel of lived experience members from the Homeless Persons’…
6 Jan
Where to for Community Health?
The recently announced changes at cohealth have thrown into stark relief the many challenges facing the community health model – and the health sector more broadly. Deputy CEO Chris Turner will speak to these and answer questions from the audience.…
18 Nov
YDHF Statement on Yarra Council Position on MSIR
Yarra Drug and Health Forum is disappointed in the decision by Yarra Council to reverse its longstanding support for a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility in North Richmond, the heart of the street drug trade and within a community health setting.…
7 Nov
Video from Harm Reduction in Diverse Communities Meeting
Please click below to view a video of the meeting held on Monday 20th October Please find information below about this meeting: With so many barriers to AOD services for clients from culturally diverse backgrounds, we must build a shared…
31 Oct
Harm Reduction & North Richmond Update: Monday 17th November
Community Network Meeting: Year In Review 2025: Harm Reduction and North Richmond Update Join us for our next Community Network Meeting and hear from a range of speakers as they discuss Harm Reduction and provide an update on North Richmond…
30 Sep
Harm Reduction in Diverse Communities: Monday 20th October
Join this online event via zoom on Monday 20th October from 12pm. With so many barriers to AOD services for clients from culturally diverse backgrounds, we must build a shared understanding of what harm reduction means for different communities. This…
5 Sep
Sally Finn International Overdose Awareness Day Speech
Founder of Overdose Awareness Day, Sally Finn, joined us on 1st September to mark the date and acknowledge lives lost and reiterate steps needed to prevent future losses. The full text of her speech can be found here.
2 Sep
Vaping as Harm Reduction…Discuss Monday 15 September
Join YDHF for a Community Network Meeting providing information and perspectives on Vaping. Speakers: Fiona Patten, Legalise Cannabis Party and former MP Hannah Downes, Health Promotion Coordinator, cohealth Dr James Petty, Senior Policy Officer, ADF When: Monday 15th September at…
11 Aug
YDHF Annual Report 2024-25
YDHF Annual Report 2024-2025 The past 12 months has seen both change and continuity of community engagement and advocacy by the Forum. Our journey and financial report are found in the Annual Report tabled at this week’s Annual General Meeting.…