The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an agency that supports eligible individuals with sensory, physical, psychosocial, intellectual, and cognitive disabilities. It is designed to aid older adults or people with disabilities to get the support they need to gain independence and enhance their quality of life. Since it was formed, the NDIS has been offering support to individuals with various psychological and psychosocial disabilities in Australia.
- So, who is eligible for the NDIS plan?
- What disabilities does the NDIS support?
- What is the NDIS for mental health disabilities, and how can it help?
Let’s learn more…
What’s NDIS for mental disabilities, and how can it help?
Individuals living with psychosocial and psychological disabilities are among the most disadvantaged in the community. They’re likely to experience a wide range of challenges varying from communication problems to issues related to movement and social inclusion.
Besides, they lack adequate support from various agencies, making it hard for them to lead healthy and quality lives.
The NDIS comes in to change this narrative! It works closely with community-based support providers, like OSAN ABILITY, to support individuals with disabilities to become more independent and participate in work-life and other community-based activities.
NDIS eligibility
Being eligible is fairly broad and comes down to a case-by-case basis. NDIS participants – individuals that meet NDIS access criteria – may be persons with mental, physical, intellectual, cognitive disabilities or the elderly.
- In terms of mental health, you’re eligible for NDIS if: • You’re an Australian citizen or have a permanent or Special Category Visa •
- You apply to join NDIS before you are 65 years or above •
- Resides in locations where NDIS is available •
- Your mental health condition has made your everyday life difficult. •
- The difficulties you face due to the mental health problem reduces your ability to do daily activities.
What’s next?
If you or your loved one meet the access criteria above, the NDIS will consider your application. To apply, you can visit your Local Area Coordinator or fill the application form yourself. Be sure to show how the disability has affected your life.
Disabilities covered by the NDIS
Let’s look at some of the mental, psychosocial, and psychological disabilities covered by the NDIS.
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Autism is a condition that impacts how an individual feels, thinks, experiences the environment, and interacts with others. It’s a lifelong disability, lasting from birth to death. In Australia, nearly 1 in every 70 people have autism.
Down Syndrome:
This is a genetic condition whereby a child is born with an extra chromosome. Research shows that 1 in every 1100 babies in Australia is born with down syndrome.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia:
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain condition caused by brain changes due to cell damage. It is the leading cause of dementia – symptoms associated with a decline in reasoning, memory, and other thinking skills.
Cerebral Palsy:
This condition impacts an individual’s movement and coordination. 1 in every 700 babies born in Australia is diagnosed with this condition.
Schizophrenia: This is a lifelong mental condition in which individuals interpret reality abnormally. It may result in a combination of delusions and hallucinations.
Other mental health conditions covered in the NDIS include:
- Rett syndrome
- Patau syndrome
- Intellectual impairment
- Brain injuries
- Parkinson’s disease
Getting help from OSAN ABILITY NDIS aims at improving the independence, economic, and social participation of people living with disabilities. The agency works closely with OSAN to support the disadvantaged persons within the community, including those with mental or psychosocial disabilities.
OSAN are experienced providers of mental health support inhome and in the community, currently supporting thousands of people with mental disabilities in Australia.
Being NDIS-registered, OSAN strives to offer the best psychological and psychosocial support to you or your loved one.
Contact us today for more information. We’ll be happy to help!
