NDIS SUPPORT: MENTAL ILLNESS & PSYCHOSOCIAL
DISABILITY
WHAT IS A PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY?
In the context of the NDIS, the term ‘psychosocial disability’ refers to a mental illness that severely impacts your ability to live your life.
THE IMPACT OF A PSYC HOSOCIAL DISABILITY
As of 2018, 4.4 million Australians were living with a disability. Of these, 1.13 million reported having a psychosocial disability – at the time, that was 4.6% of the Australian population.
Importantly, 38.8% of Australians with a psychosocial disability reported experiencing a profound limitation in some aspect of their life.
Here’s a breakdown of the limitations faced by Australians living with a psychosocial disability, sorted from most to least common:
• Cognitive and emotional tasks –85.5% (of people)
• Mobility – 54.9%
• Health care – 51.5%
• Self-care – 40.7%
• Property maintenance – 40.0%
• Private transport – 39.1%
• Household chores – 31.1%
• Reading or writing – 26.0%
• Meal preparation – 22.8%
• Oral communication – 21.3%
EXAMPLES OF MENTAL ILLNESSES THAT CAN LEAD TO A PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY
• Mood disorders, such as:
• Dysthymia (also known as persistent depressive disorder)
• Major depression (also known as clinical depression)
• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Anxiety disorders, for example:
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Agoraphobia
• Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia)
APPLYING FOR THE NDIS WITH A PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY
After checking that you are eligible for the NDIS, the first step when applying is to speak with your GP. They can support your application by providing documentation such as medical records and notes from your appointments. If further assessment or evidence is required, your GP may refer you to other allied health professionals (such as a psychologist or an occupational therapist).
THE MAKING OF AN NDIS PLAN FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY
When building an NDIS plan, you are supported to set goals for yourself; these goals determine the supports and funding you’ll receive. For example, if your psychosocial disability makes it hard for you to clean your home, you’d likely have a goal within your NDIS plan that says something like this: I want support to maintain a clean home environment.
MAINSTREAM AND CRIS IS SUPPORTS FOR MEN TAL ILLNESS AND PSYC HOSOCIAL DISABILITY
The NDIS is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and you will likely still need to access other supports if you are living with a mental illness that has become a psychosocial disability.
