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Mind Australia is part of an alliance of Australia’s leading mental health organisations that has released a roadmap for how the NDIS could be improved for people with psychosocial disability. 

Last month, the Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA) launched its NDIS Recovery Plan, which calls for an overhaul of the NDIS that would see people with psychosocial disability given the support they need to focus on genuine recovery. 

Speaking at the virtual launch of the NDIS Recovery Plan, APA spokesperson and Mind CEO Gill Callister said the current NDIS funding model lacks emphasis on recovery, putting extra strain on the scheme, on people with psychosocial disability, and their families. 

“Psychosocial disabilities are unique. They’re often invisible, episodic and can be difficult to recognise,” Ms Callister said. 

“But with the right supports, people with psychosocial disability can be given the opportunity to focus on what brings meaning to their life. 

“For too long people with psychosocial disability have been the invisible participants of the NDIS, forced to deal with a system that doesn’t just lack a focus on recovery, but can also at times undermine or hinder their wellbeing. 

People with psychosocial disability have a right to access supports through the NDIS, but there’s also an opportunity for the Scheme to change so that the support it provides works better for everyone.
Gill Callister – CEO Mind Australia

“Transforming the NDIS so that the scheme gives people the supports and services they need when they need them most will see more people moving towards full citizenship and fewer people reaching crisis point. That’s good for everyone.” 

The APA’s NDIS Recovery Plan developed from the Alliance’s submission to the NDIS Review, recommends the NDIS transforms to a Scheme which provides:  

  • Better planning and supports – that can be urgently and easily scaled up in times of need and are flexible in response to change, ensuring people’s conditions don’t escalate to the point of crisis 
  • A coordinated plan to rebuild skills and networks, with a consistent support worker not just the delivery of individual, disconnected services 
  • An understanding that people with psychosocial disability are the experts in their recovery journey, and that the most important guides are others with lived experience. 

“The NDIS Recovery Plan is about seeing people with psychosocial disability as whole people and experts in their own lives,” Ms Callister said. 

“People with psychosocial disability have a right to access supports through the NDIS, but there’s also an opportunity for the Scheme to change so that the support it provides works better for everyone. 

“The current review of the NDIS provides the government with an opportunity to reshape the scheme and really change the lives of people with psychosocial disability. 

“We need a fit-for-purpose NDIS that recognises that people with psychosocial disability are the experts in their own lives.” 

If you would like to stay updated or show your support for the campaign, you can sign up to the Australian Psychosocial Alliance’s website.  

If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 
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