NDIS Support Mental Illness & Psychosocial Disability

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NDIS SUPPORT MENTAL ILLNESS PSYCHOSOCIAL
DISABILITY
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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.
3
THE IMPACT OF A PSYCHOSOCIAL 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.
4

• Heres 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

5
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)

6
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).
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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 youll receive. For example,
if your psychosocial disability makes it hard for
you to clean your home, youd likely have a goal
within your NDIS plan that says something like
this I want support to maintain a clean home
environment.
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MAINSTREAM AND CRISIS SUPPORTS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
AND PSYCHOSOCIAL 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.