Mental Health

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing disability support.

Metro North Mental Health can commence supporting consumers with a Brisbane City Council address to access the NDIS from 1 January 2018, with planning meetings being scheduled by the NDIA from 1 July 2018.

Consumers with a Moreton Bay Council address may access the NDIS from 1 July 2018, with planning meetings being scheduled by the NDIA from 1 January 2019.

Kilcoy residents have been accessing NDIS since 1 January 2017.

Who can access the NDIS?

To become an NDIS participant a person must:

• Have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities;
• Be aged less than 65 when they first enter the NDIS;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between 50 and 65 years old may choose between NDIS and My Aged Care;
• Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa; and
• Live in Australia where the NDIS is available.

What is psychosocial disability?

Psychosocial disability is the term used to describe disabilities that may arise from mental health issues. Whilst not everyone who has a mental health issue will experience psychosocial disability, those that do can experience severe effects and social disadvantage. People with a significant disability that is likely to be permanent may qualify for NDIS support.

What is recovery?

Recovery is about achieving an optimal state of personal, social and emotional wellbeing, as defined by each individual, whilst living with or recovering from a mental health condition.

The NDIS is committed to ensuring that recovery and hope-restoring recovery practice is supported for participants with psychosocial disability through the design and implementation of the NDIS.

Importantly, the NDIS understands that hope and optimism are elements in recovery. The NDIS provides:

• Choice and control for participants
• A lifetime commitment to supports and funding as required
• Increased independence and social and economic participation
• Support for a partnership approach

How will the mental health service support me?

It is likely that mental health clinicians will be involved in supporting consumers and their stakeholders with the NDIS access and planning process. Consumers and carers of mental health services should ask their mental health clinician for information or advice about the NDIS.  As part of the NDIS access process, mental health clinicians will be able to provide mental health service consumers with ‘Evidence of Disability’ information on request.

How does the NDIS work with other systems?

The NDIS is designed to work alongside existing government service systems, including  health, education, housing and mental health specific treatment services.

People with mental health issues often require support from a range of sources such as community, family, friends, local or private mental health services and other mainstream systems. The NDIS works closely and in partnership with these other support systems and does not replace them.

Can a consumer still receive support if they do not meet the access requirements for the NDIS?

A person does not have to be an NDIS participant to receive support from the NDIS.

The NDIS will connect people with disability, their families and carers, including people who are not NDIS participants, to disability and mainstream supports in their community.

To find out more about information, links and referrals to community and mainstream support services visit www.ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.