NDIS and psychosocial disability: Understanding NDIS support for anxiety

Anxiety is a common condition, affecting more than one in six Australians. While everyone feels anxious at times, persistent and overwhelming anxiety can significantly disrupt daily life.

If you're finding it difficult to cope with everyday tasks, social interactions, or even just getting a good night's sleep, you're not alone.

Anxiety can manifest in various ways. You might be struggling with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), where constant worry and tension become a daily burden.

Or perhaps you experience the intense fear and avoidance associated with social anxiety disorder, making even simple interactions feel overwhelming.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can bring flashbacks and hyper-vigilance, while obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can trap you in cycles of intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

It's also important to note that anxiety often intersects with other conditions. Many people experience both anxiety and depression, with each condition potentially triggering the other.

If your anxiety is severe enough to impact your ability to function, you might be considering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

While the NDIS supports individuals with psychosocial disabilities, it's important to understand that eligibility is based on the impact of your condition on your daily life, rather than just the diagnosis.

This guide will help you understand how the NDIS supports psychosocial disabilities, clarify how anxiety can fit within the NDIS framework, and introduce you to how Like Family can provide valuable community support to enhance your wellbeing.

Understanding psychosocial disability: The NDIS perspective

Within the NDIS context, psychosocial disability refers to a disability resulting from a mental health condition that leads to an "impairment."

This impairment must be "permanent or likely to be permanent," meaning it's expected to have a lifelong impact. This does not mean that there are no good days, but that the overall impact of the condition is long term.

The NDIS helps with practical, everyday support to improve daily life and community involvement, not medical treatments.

It offers two types of help: connecting people to existing services and providing funded support for eligible individuals.

Anxiety and NDIS eligibility: What you need to know

Having an anxiety disorder doesn't automatically qualify you for the NDIS. The NDIS focuses on what you can't do because of your anxiety, specifically how your condition impacts your ability to perform daily tasks.

To qualify for NDIS support, you must meet specific requirements regarding your age, where you live, and whether you have a permanent disability or need early intervention.

You'll need to demonstrate a need for "lifelong support" and provide evidence of how your anxiety significantly impairs your daily life. It is very important to document how your anxiety impacts your daily life.

While a diagnosis is helpful, the NDIS primarily assesses the functional impact of your condition.

NDIS support for psychosocial disability: What's available?

The NDIS provides a range of supports tailored to individuals with psychosocial disabilities, focusing on improving functional ability and enhancing social and economic participation.

Services that focus on medical treatment and therapy, such as those provided by doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, fall under the health system's responsibility, rather than NDIS.

Here are some of the areas where NDIS funding can be used to provide support:

• Skill Development: Funding can be used to develop skills for education, work, or personal growth.
• Increasing Independence: Support is available to live as independently as possible.
• Connecting with Others: Delivers support that helps individuals build and maintain relationships.
• Strengthening Life Skills: Support is available to enhance overall wellbeing.
• Joining Social Activities: Assistance is provided to find and participate in social activities.
• Finding a Safe Place to Live: If a disability impacts housing needs, support is available to find suitable accommodation.
• Accessing Allied Health Professionals: Access is provided to professionals like psychologists or occupational therapists, where their services directly help manage the impact of the disability.
• Coordinating Supports: Support is available to bring together NDIS supports with mental health treatments.

NDIS plans are designed to be personalised, creating a recovery plan that reflects individual goals and helps individuals thrive.

Navigating the NDIS application process for psychosocial disabilities

Applying for the NDIS with a psychosocial disability can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can make it more manageable. Here's a breakdown of key information and steps to consider:

Understanding community connections plans:

• If you don't have a community connections plan, you can begin by contacting your nearest local area coordinator.
• If you already have a community connections plan and believe you might be eligible for the NDIS, your local area coordinator can assist you with the application process.

Receiving mental health services:

• If you are currently receiving mental health services, discuss your support needs with your service providers.

Episodic and fluctuating conditions:

• The NDIS understands that mental health conditions can change over time. Even if your condition fluctuates, you can still apply.

Applying for the NDIS:

• To apply, contact your nearest local area coordinator or local NDIS office.

Providing Evidence:

To support your NDIS application, you'll need to provide evidence of your psychosocial disability.

• Talk to your local area coordinator.
• Use the Evidence of Psychosocial Disability form
• Work with your healthcare professionals.

Remember, all applicants must meet the NDIS eligibility criteria. For more detailed information, see the 'Providing evidence for NDIS eligibility' factsheet.

Like Family: Complementing NDIS support with community connection

The NDIS can provide funding for vital supports, but sometimes, what you truly need is a genuine connection, especially when anxiety makes social interactions difficult.

At Like Family, we believe in the power of building meaningful relationships. Our support workers offer more than just practical assistance; they provide companionship and understanding, helping to alleviate anxiety through social engagement.

For example, a Like Family support worker could accompany an individual to a social event, providing reassurance and support to manage anxiety in a social setting.

If you're looking to enhance your NDIS goals by increasing your social participation and building lasting connections, Like Family can help.

We can provide a buddy for social events, assist with community access, and offer support with daily activities, all while fostering a sense of belonging and reducing anxiety.

Even if you don't have NDIS funding, our disability support services are accessible to you.

To learn more about how we can support your social and emotional wellbeing, particularly in managing anxiety, visit our website or contact our team at hello@likefamily.com.au.

FAQ

Q: Can I get NDIS funding if I have a diagnosis of anxiety?

A: A diagnosis alone is not enough. The NDIS focuses on how your anxiety impacts your daily life and ability to function.

Q: What kind of evidence do I need to provide?

A: You'll need evidence of your functional impairment, such as reports from medical professionals and allied health practitioners, and documentation of how your anxiety affects your daily activities.

Q: How long does the NDIS application process take?

A: The processing time can vary. Contact your local NDIS office for current wait times and information.