In this blog post, we discuss what the NDIS is, how mental health and the NDIS work, what psychosocial disabilities may be eligible for the NDIS, and which services and supports the NDIS will likely fund for psychosocial disabilties.
Further, we discuss how psychosocial services (a psychologist for example) may be funded by the NDIS or the health sector (Medicare).
What is the NDIS
The NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which provides access to supports and services for people with a disability. The NDIS is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
One form of disability that the NDIS help fund services for, are psychosocial disabilities, or mental health disorders.
What is the NDIS responsible for in Mental Health?
The NDIS fund supports that help address the impact that a psychosocial disability has on an individual.
For example, a person may have schizophrenia, a psychosocial disability which in their case is significantly impactful and reduces their ability to function as they otherwise would.
For this individual, their psychosocial disability may place them in psychological or physical harm if they engaged in certain activities or environments. environmental or in the work.
Certain typical activities of theirs that may be impacted by their disability are;
- activities of daily living; cleaning, cooking, and generally taking care of themselves.
- working and socilising; engaging in their social life, going to work, studying.
- hobbies and interests; participating in everyday interests and activities that provide meaning and promote wellbeing.
- engaging in your community; taking part in community activities, going outside.
What Mental Health Services can the NDIS fund?
The NDIS provides a range of supports for those with mental health conditions, which aim to improve the functional ability and independence of participants.
NDIS supports for mental health may include;
- Psychosocial Recovery Coaches: These professionals can provide one-on-one support to help with activities of daily living, social skills, and community participation. If you’re seeking a psychosocial recovery coach, feel free to read more here.
- Psychologists: Psychologists can provide psychological stratergies and interventions aimed at reducing the functional impact of their psychosocial disability or other disability. The person conducting these strategies works in collaboration with the NDIS participant to move towards their goals, which may include; finding a job, create more meaningful friendships, access further psychosocial support options, improve functioning and safety, and manage and psychological harm. Click here if you’re looking for a psychology team with NDIS experience.
- Allied health professionals: Allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and physiotherapists,can provide support with activities of daily living, development of social comfort and community participation. They can also reduce risks in the individuals home or social environment, or in the workplace, and help to reduce the functional impact of their disability with prescribed equipment.
Additional supports that may be funded include;
- Counselling: Counsellors can help individuals to manage their mental health condition and improve their wellbeing. Within the context of the impact their disability has on their functioning, this may include managing stress of the impact while taking a person centered approached.
- Group programs: Group programs can provide support and education and resources to participants, as well as improving social connection.
- Support workers: These professionals can assist with challenges in daily living, accessing the community, and more.
- Personal care, home and living workers assist with activities in the home (food preparation, cleaning, gardening) and helping with any risk in the home.
- Support Coordination: A support coordinator can assist in implementing your NDIS plan, ensuring its running smoothly, and providing additional resources.
Simply, the NDIS are responsible for services that improve or maintain your functional ability and help you increase independence.
What is the NDIS not responsible for in Mental Health?
The NDIS does not cover ‘clinical’ supports that are generally otherwise covered by the health system, including diagnostic assessments and treatment or intervention.
These may include;
- Acute mental health services (care in a hospital) or risk of acute physical harm or psychological harm
- Rehabilitiation services or organisations
- Acute risk management services to reduce psychological harm
- Support with issues or conditions that are not an indidivdals psychosocial disabilities, where the symptoms or issues are responsible of other system (Medicare).
Seeing a psychologist for a mental illness, or less severe mental health concerns (such as stress, mild anxiety, mild depression), would typically take place through the Medicare system, or paid for privately.
Few psychologists are able to bulk bill Medicare for these psychological services. However, if you are seeking a bulk billed psychologists, The Simple Psychologist can assist.
Areas where other government systems would be the primary service rather are also environments that may not be funded by the NDIS. For example;
The justice department or emergency services may be responsible for;
- Attending to psychosocial hazards
- Managing acute risk of psychological or physical harm
- Reducing risk of harm to others and ensuring safety of individuals
- To manage family disputes or legislation matters
- Dealing or assisting in managing violence
- Attending to situations where there is reasonable concern regarding the physical safety of an individual
What Conditions do the NDIS cover?
The NDIS can provides support to those with mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.
A psychosocial disability is an enduring condition that results in a reduced ability to cope with the demands of everyday life.
A psychosocial disability may also be known as a mental health disorder, or a psychiatric disability.
There are many different types of mental health conditions which can be considered a psychosocial disability, and therefore may be NDIS eligible.
- These may include;
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Trauma and Stress Disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
The NDIS does not cover all mental health conditions. Only those that have been deemed to have a ‘significant and permanent’ impact on an individual’s ability to function.
It is important to note that the NDIS focuses on impairment, not the condition itself. So no mental health diagnosis will automatically meet or not meet the NDIS access criteria.
Primary criteria include;
- your impairment is likely to be permanent.
- your ability to do everyday activities is substantially reduced by your impairment.
However, there are many details concerning the eligibility of a certain condition accessing the NDIS. As such, we recommend reading more information on eligibility here.
How can I get more information about the NDIS and its services for mental health?
If you would like to know more about NDIS and its services for mental health, please visit the their website.
The NDIS also has a dedicated phone line and email for those seeking more resources about disability services for mental health.
NDIS Website: ndis.gov.au
NDIS Phone Line: 1800 800 110