Mental health supports available through the NDIS
Published at 25-03-2024 13:00:00
Mental health supports available through the NDIS
Mental health is a very important aspect of our overall well-being, so understanding what supports are available through the NDIS can help you access the right services you need and enhance your quality of life so you can focus on achieving your goals!
The NDIS offers various supports to meet the needs of those with psychosocial abilities. These supports aim to help participants live more independently, engage in community activities and achieve personal goals.
What is a psychosocial disability?
Psychosocial disability refers to the challenges experienced by people with more serious and persistent mental health conditions that affect their ability to participate fully in everyday life. Unlike some other disabilities, psychosocial might not always be visible, and some people with mental health conditions might not even realise they qualify for support.
Mental health conditions refer to conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. Many people with these mental health conditions might think they don’t have a disability. However, if their condition significantly impacts their daily life, work or social interactions, this may be classified as a psychosocial disability by the NDIS. If you have had a long-term psychosocial disability you might be eligible for an NDIS Plan.
NDIS eligibility criteria for psychosocial disability
If you have a psychosocial disability, you might be eligible for the NDIS and have access to different supports that can help you better participate in the community.
To be eligible for NDIS support for a psychosocial disability, you must first meet the usual eligibility requirements (see here for the Am I eligible page on the NDIS website). In addition, the following criteria must also be met:
- The mental health condition affects your ability in social or economic participation
- You have undergone or are undergoing treatments to reduce the impacts of the condition which was not successful in reducing the impairment
- You have tried treatment and supports with mental health professionals and clinical teams
- You have tried other treatments that have been recommended but your mental health condition continues to impact your functional capacity and is likely to be permanent
- You will likely require lifetime support
You won’t necessarily need a diagnosis, though it help with the application process. The NDIS understands that people with mental health conditions may have multiple different conditions and sometimes may be difficult to precisely identify and can be inconsistent too. Instead, evidence will be required to prove that the condition is likely to be permanent through a forum where the NDIS can assess your eligibility.
The form is to be completed by two professionals who works alongside you to understand your condition, this might be psychologist or doctor an a support worker. The form may ask for information such as:
- A diagnosis if available or an explanation of the mental health condition
- Medications, treatments or interventions that been trialled or are currently trialling
- Professional assessments of current life skills and impacts of the condition
- Details of the mental health condition, including any impairments and impact on your daily life
- Any other known treatments that have not yet been tried
Psychosocial supports that are available
The NDIS funds psychosocial supports aimed at enhancing functional abilities and promoting social and economic participation. The NDIS can fund supports that help with:
- Participating in community and social activities
- Building greater independence
- Gaining access to new skills or jobs, or volunteering in your community
- Socialising, developing social skills, and building relationships
- Improving your overall quality of life
You may be eligible to get support from a psychosocial recovery coach (recovery coach) who can help you to increase independence and social and economic participation. Recovery coaches help participants to:
- Better manage their challenges in everyday life
- Take more control of their life
- Plan and coordinate different supports
- Build on strengths, knowledge, skills, resilience and decision-making
- Build capacity and resilience
Other supports that may be funded can include:
- Support from allied health professionals, such as psychologists or mental health occupational therapists that help you manage or reduce the functional impact of your psychosocial disability
- Capacity building supports to help you with personal care, home and living supports, cooking and cleaning and learning everyday skills
- Social and recreational support such as helping you join social activities and community groups
- Support to help you find accomodation, manage your rental or home ownership responsibilities
Government mental health system
The government mental health system is generally responsible clinical services such as diagnosis and treatments whereas the NDIS is generally responsible for supports that are not clinical, such as long term assistance that enhances your capacity to live independently and participate fully in the community. This is an important distinction to make to ensure that you receive the comprehensive care that addresses both your mental health needs and broader life goals.
Examples of what the mental health system is responsible for may include:
- General practitioner and psychiatry services
- Diagnosis and treatment for mental health conditions
- Rehabilitation
- Medical prescriptions
- Hospital in the Home services
- Step up and Step down services
- Psychogeriatric care
- Engagement with allied health professionals including psychologists and counsellors
- Services that may be funded by Medicare
What to do if you require help immediately
Dealing with mental health issues and conditions isn’t easy. If you or someone you know needs support immediately beyond the NDIS, these services below might be able to help. Know that you are not alone, and there are people ready to support you in times of need.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line: 13 92 76
SANE Australia: 1800 187 263
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
For emergencies, please call triple zero (000)
Get in touch
If you would like to know a bit more about NDIS mental health care supports available, or have any questions in general, we would love to help you out! Call us on 1300 217 037 or email us at info@justplanmanagers.com.au and our friendly team will get back to you in no time.