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 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded program in Australia that provides support and assistance to people with disability, including mental health conditions. The NDIS helps people with disability to achieve their goals and participate in the community by providing funding for the support and services they need.

If you have a mental health condition and are eligible for the NDIS, you can use your NDIS funding to access a range of supports and services that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. This might include things like:

• Psychotherapy or counseling services to help you manage your mental health condition
• Occupational therapy to help you develop skills and participate in activities that are meaningful to you
• Support with daily living activities, such as cleaning, cooking, and personal care
• Assistance with communication, such as speech therapy or access to assistive technology
• Transportation to help you get to appointments or access community services
• Home modifications to make your home more accessible

The NDIS can also provide funding for equipment and technology that can help you manage your mental health condition, such as assistive technology or specialized software.

It's important to note that the NDIS is not a mental health service in and of itself, but rather a funding body that provides financial support for people with disability to access the services and support they need. If you have a mental health condition and are eligible for the NDIS, you will work with an NDIS planner to develop a plan that outlines the supports and services you need to achieve your goals and participate in the community.

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.

How Does the NDIS effectively help individuals with mental health disorders?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help people with mental health disorders in a number of ways. Some of the ways in which the NDIS can help people with mental health disorders include:

• Providing funding for mental health services: The NDIS can provide funding for a range of mental health services, such as psychotherapy or counseling, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These services can help people with mental health disorders manage their condition and achieve their goals.
• Supporting participation in the community: The NDIS can provide funding for a range of supports and services that can help people with mental health disorders participate in the community. This might include things like transportation to appointments or community events, support with daily living activities, or assistance with communication.
• Providing funding for equipment and technology: The NDIS can provide funding for equipment and technology that can help people with mental health disorders manage their condition. This might include things like assistive technology or specialized software.
• Supporting people to live independently: The NDIS can provide funding for supports and services that can help people with mental health disorders live independently. This might include things like home modifications, support with daily living activities, or assistance with communication.

Overall, the NDIS aims to provide people with disability, including those with mental health disorders, with the support and assistance they need to achieve their goals and participate in the community. If you have a mental health disorder and are eligible for the NDIS, you can work with an NDIS planner to develop a plan that outlines the supports and services you need to achieve your goals.

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.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) covers a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to:

• Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias
• Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder
• Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia
• Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder
• Trauma- and stressor-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

To be eligible for the NDIS, you must have a permanent disability that significantly impacts your ability to participate in everyday activities. This includes disability that is caused by a mental health condition. If you have a mental health condition and are having difficulty participating in everyday activities due to your condition, you may be eligible for NDIS support.

It's important to note that the NDIS does not cover all mental health conditions. Whether or not you are eligible for NDIS support will depend on your specific circumstances and the impact that your mental health condition has on your ability to participate in everyday activities. If you are unsure if you are eligible for NDIS support, you can contact the NDIS to discuss your situation and find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.

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 do NDIS and Medicare Influence each other?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Medicare are two different government-funded programs in Australia that provide different types of support and assistance to people with disability and health conditions.

Medicare is a universal health insurance scheme that provides access to a range of health services and treatments, including mental health services. If you have a mental health condition, you can access a range of mental health services through Medicare, such as visits to a GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

The NDIS is a separate program that provides funding and support to people with disability to help them achieve their goals and participate in the community. The NDIS provides funding for a wide range of supports and services, including mental health services, that are tailored to an individual's specific needs and goals.

There are some key differences between the NDIS and Medicare:

• Eligibility: To be eligible for the NDIS, you must have a permanent disability that significantly impacts your ability to participate in everyday activities. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a special category visa holder.
• Types of support: The NDIS provides funding for a wide range of supports and services that are tailored to an individual's specific needs and goals. This can include things like therapy, support with daily living activities, and transportation. Medicare provides access to a range of health services, including mental health services, but does not provide funding for the types of supports and services that the NDIS does.
• How support is accessed: To access support through the NDIS, you will need to go through an assessment process and develop an NDIS plan that outlines the supports and services you need. To access support through Medicare, you will need to see a GP or specialist and get a referral for the services you need.

Both the NDIS and Medicare can provide valuable support and assistance to people with disability and mental health conditions. Whether you access support through the NDIS or Medicare, or both, will depend on your specific circumstances and needs. It's worth speaking to both the NDIS and your GP to find out what support is available to you and how you can access it.

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