Mark is a credentialed mental health nurse with post graduate qualifications in mental health and alcohol and other drugs. For many years he was involved with system change around the issue of dual diagnosis (substance use and Mental Illness). He has worked in hospital settings but mostly community based programs for mental health and substance use. He has more recently moved into the role of management although continue to maintain a strong interest in clinical work and facilitates a ‘family and friends’ meeting for loved ones of someone with a substance use problem.

Over the years he has been involved in research projects around mental health and shared decision making and the statewide training of mental health and substance use counsellors in dual diagnosis. He is passionate about the access to clinical and medical care for those with substance use issues and mental illness and the recognition of including family or significant others in that treatment. He is a strong advocate for evidenced based approaches and continues to reflect and develop his skills as he believes no one is ever an expert.