NDIS Plan: Gain The Support You Need
by Kat Rowe | September 12, 2023
Have you been diagnosed with a psychological disability? You may be eligible to receive funding to support your everyday living and long-term recovery.
According to the NDIS a psychological disability is ‘a term used to describe a disability that may arise from a mental health issue.’ It refers to the functional impact and barriers which may be faced by someone living with a mental health condition.
Available to those who require lifelong support, our NDIS services can help you have a better today and tomorrow. Find out more about the ins and outs of NDIS eligibility and how it all works through this helpful guide.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS is a government-funded initiative that connects people living with a disability with everything you need to live independently and gives loved ones and carers peace of mind knowing extra support is in place.
By being recognised as an eligible participant of the NDIS, you’re provided with an NDIS plan that connects you with the services and resources specific to your needs so you can achieve your goals, and have peace of mind.
To work out what supports are best suited to your needs, the NDIS will arrange a planning meeting with you. During this session, an NDIS representative will chat to you about your likes and dislikes, how you enjoy spending your time, and help you to define your short and long term goals.
How can an NDIS plan help me?
The services provided under the NDIS are custom-tailored to your needs, ensuring that you receive precisely the support required to overcome barriers and achieve your aspirations.
If you’re accessing the NDIS due to a psychological disability, your funding will be grounded in the Recovery-Oriented Framework. This framework is developed to ensure that the NDIS is more responsive to participants living with psychosocial disability, their families and carers.
To enhance responsiveness to participants with psychosocial disabilities, the Framework takes into account a broad range of needs, including choice and control, employment, health and well-being, home living, relationships, and improved daily living.
Your type of funding will come under the Capacity Building budget that includes:
- Choice and control through plan management and support coordination services
- Employment
- Health and wellbeing (e.g. exercise and nutrition therapies)
- Home living (e.g. supported independent living accommodation)
- Relationships
- Improved Daily living
Am I Eligible to become an NDIS participant?
To be eligible for an NDIS plan you must be:
- Living in Australia
- Aged between 7 and 65 years
- An Australian citizen or hold a Permanent or Special Category visa
- Have a permanent and significant disability
If you started receiving NDIS services before turning 65, you’re able to continue to receive funding beyond your 65th birthday. If you fall outside of this timeline, the NDIS has put together a document that can help you find the support you need, which you can access here.
If your child is younger than 7 years of age, the NDIS early childhood approach is there to help give your child the best start in life.
Once you have determined eligibility, you can apply for the NDIS in a few different ways:
- Complete a verbal application by phoning 1800 800 110
- Complete an Access Request form
- Contact one of the NDIA’s Local Area Coordinators who can assist you with the application process.
Can Stride help me access NDIS funding and its supports?
Stride is a registered NDIS Service Provider, working with the NDIS since 2013. With plenty of experience behind us, our team knows the NDIS inside-out and can help you make the most out of your plan and funding
Once you have been advised of your eligibility for the NDIS, Stride can assist you with various supports. As a provider of complex NDIS services, we go through various checks to make sure the quality of our support is where it needs to be. This involves being audited against the NDIS Practice Standards, meeting strict certification requirements and following the NDIS Code of Conduct.
Support Coordination
If you’d like a little NDIS help, our expert team can help coordinate your supports so they’re easier to manage. As a leading NDIS Service Provider we will help:
- Guide you through the NDIS process
- Help you realise your goals
- Suggest the right local services for your needs
- Support you to manage your budget
- Help you with life stage transition
- Prepare you for your NDIS plan review
- Help build your skills in self-managing your support
Stride offers two levels of Support Coordination:
- Support Coordination: Our longer-term option that helps you get to grips with your NDIS plan – working with you as you build your independence and relationships.
- Specialist Support Coordination: Our highest level of support coordination. This is for people who have more complex needs, barriers to accessing supports and risks. Our Specialist Support Coordinators are registered Allied Health Practitioners and will assist you to manage any changes you may face.
Recovery Coaching
Psychosocial Recovery Coaches are funded by the NDIS and our Recovery Coaches work collaboratively with you and your carer network to find and engage in NDIS services that foster growth, resilience and informed decision-making.
Recovery Coaching helps to build your independence and skills through coaching and collaboration with a broader system of support and services. Unlike Psychiatrists, Recovery Coaches cannot diagnose a mental health condition. However, they do undergo specialist training to guide you through your recovery journey and help you enact positive change to lead a fulfilling life.
Our team of registered Clinicians are available to provide face to face supports to help you learn coping strategies to better manage your mental health.
If your NDIS Capacity Building Supports Budget includes Improved Daily Living Supports, you’ll be able to talk with a therapist or take part in programs like art therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).
Some of the things we can support you with are; learning techniques to help manage your emotions, developing your social and interpersonal skills and learning healthy coping strategies to manage anxiety and depression.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a NDIS supported accommodation service for adults and young people who have a diagnosed mental health condition.
Our team of highly trained support workers provide SIL residents with 24/7 assistance in a comfortable, safe shared home.
Support is provided to perform day-to-day tasks such as cooking and maintaining your home, going out in the community, budgeting, taking medication, attending medical appointments, shopping and other activities. As a leading provider of supported housing, Stride has SIL’s in South-East Queensland, Sydney, Orange and Newcastle.
Take the next step
Are you ready to take the next step in your mental health recovery journey? Check out our tips on how to apply for the NDIS.
If you’re searching for a new provider get in touch with our team, and discover all the possibilities our NDIS plan can give you. If you have determined your eligibility for NDIS Psychosocial Supports, contact Stride at 1300 00 1907 or email ndis@stride.com.au.