On the Edge - Australia

Available for $1.50 per comic, On the Edge follows the story of Dom. The comic addresses issues like the build-up of symptoms, what it is like to experience an episode of psychosis, how to garner peer support, and means of confronting stigma. The comic also includes harm minimisation advice pages for people who are using drugs (but who might not be regular drug users), as well as contact details of organisations that might be able to help.

Health, Youth.

Few services exist for young people with dual diagnosis, as they do not neatly fit into either the mental health or drug services picture. However, anecdotal evidence reported by the NSW Association for Adolescent Health indicates that up to 70% of young people in some services are affected by both a mental health disorder and a drug or alcohol problem. Young people in this situation may find themselves with little support or resources, which could in turn result in further drug misuse and escalating mental health problems.

The On the Edge project began when Streetwize was approached by a young person interested in developing a resource for young drug users with mental health issues. The storyline was designed on the basis of research and focus groups with young people around Sydney. Funding was provided by Perpetual Limited, South Sydney Council, and the NSW Department of Community Services.

Streetwize was awarded the 2002 Ted Noffs Award for Prevention, which recognises excellence in the drug and alcohol field, for On the Edge.