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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to offer people with disabilities and their carers more choice and agency in the type of services they would like to make use of. Psychosocial disabilities are likely to be included in the scheme and while the move has widely been applauded, there are a number of factors that need to be considered when integrating mental health into the NDIS.
“The reality is that many people with a psychosocial disability experience severe and lasting impacts on their everyday lives; impacts that reduce their ability to function and participate in society. In some cases this type of disability even results in the need for constant supervised care,” said Frank Quinlan, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Council in an opinion piece in The Australian where he reminded readers of some of the oversights made when governments closed down most of its mental health institutions in the 1970s. “Governments took away outmoded structures and supports, but didn’t create new ones, literally putting people on the streets. If Australia creates a system that people begin to rely on, the system must be there for the long term”, Mr Quinlan stressed.
This infographic visualises some of the key facts of mental health and disability in Australia.
For more information on the Integrating Mental Health into the National Disability Insurance Scheme conference, please visit the IIR Healthcare website.
Infographic sources:
Australian Network on Disability
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Disability Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings 2009