sdc
From: Marion Modra Marion.Modra@ymca.org.au Sent: Tuesday, 30 October 2018 8:58 AM To: sdc Subject: Feedback on mental health and NDIS transition
Good morning,
Thank you for the opportunity to give voice to the concerns of the young people of SA that the YMCA works with on a daily basis.
We have structured our response against the questions included in your feedback request.
The YMCA South Australia would be happy to provide a representative to provide oral feedback however we have gather the information below from the young people we interact with on a daily basis.
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The gap between the Federal Government’s predicted and realised percentages of mental health clients receiving NDIS support; - seems low but we are not a diagnosing service.
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The reduction in funding to the Personal Helpers and Mentors program and Mental Health Respite Carer Support program and the impact this will have on people with mental illness; - YMCA do not operate this program however across other programs including our recreation consultancy service we have firsthand experience of the challenges faced by people whose access to PHMS has been reduced.
YMCA has operated a camp program for young carers under MHRS for many years. This time of self-care and self-development is critical for young carers, who have been identified as a vulnerable group under the NDIS transition of services.
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The ongoing requirements for block funded mental health services provided by the State Government after the NDIS transition; - Community based social engagement programs will continue to be critical not only for those with diagnosed mental health conditions but for the broader community to maintain good mental health. Isolation is a strong factor in poor mental health outcomes and state funded HACC programs including social support groups at Community Centres across SA are a critical part of busting isolation. Without funding these programs will close and cannot be funded by users or NDIS. This is proactive community engagement with big returns for small cost.
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The effects on South Australians with mental health issues who are deemed ineligible to receive NDIS funding; - do we want to be like America where 80% of homeless people experience poor mental health? This is the inevitable outcome for those who do not meet the NDIS eligibility criteria of significant and permanent mental health disability – we want people to work towards recovery but recovery means that they will not meet the permanent criteria and hence will fall short of NDIS eligibility. For young people it takes multiple episodes of psychosis or repeated hospitalisations to be diagnosed, and then they need to apply for NDIS. During this time they are at their most vulnerable for suicide – there is no coming back from a suicide – lets break down the barriers to support and early treatment. Why do we need to label our young people with a life long diagnosis before they can get the support and treatment they need. With early treatment many of these young people will go on to recover and lead fully productive lives with insight and resilience. It makes no policy or fiscal sense to withhold treatment until they are really unwell or suicidal – treat early, support all and realise the potential of all young people.
- The sufficiency of services provided to people with mental illness who are accepted into the NDIS; - service providers have a limited understanding of the support required by people with mental health conditions. The provision of services under NDIS is focussed on those with traditional disability ie physical or intellectual disability. Mental health conditions are poorly catered to – so even those who have a good plan can’t find service providers to spend their funds with which results in a reduction in funding the following year. This is further complicated because numerous services that are appropriate to mental health disability are not recognised under NDIS as approved providers. The only option to access these services is to be self-managed and this presents a catch 22 – when you most need the service you are the least able to self manage and for most people there isn’t an advocate to assist.
Respite and advocacy are critical services for people with mental health disability but these two services are not funded or recognised under NDIS. This increases vulnerability and increases pressure on volunteer support groups. Lived experience workers are best placed to provide these services however their services aren’t recognised or funded under NDIS
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The effects on South Australians with mental health issues undertaking the application process for the NDIS; - basically you have to prove you are unwell and that this is permanent before you can get any service to support you in living an ordinary life – very taxing and stressful increasing the impact of the disability before any support can be gained. The further delays in plan approvals and activation increase the stress and impact.
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Any other relevant matters. 25% of young people in Australia experience a mental health disorder. Services under the health system are not meeting their needs. NDIS will not meet their needs unless their disability becomes permanent. For most it is not a mental health disability but rather an episode of poor mental health that with appropriate support and adequate community engagement with age appropriate services and supportive peers will become a strength rather than a limiting factor for their lives. We need to fund these services to prevent the negative impact of prolonged disengagement from community.
Kind regards
Marion Modra
Manager Community Strengthening
Please Note: I work from several offices and may not be able to check landline messages daily. Please use mobile or email contact for fastest response. Thank you.
t. 08 8200 2511 m. 0408 113 191 f. 08 8353 0384 w.sa.ymca.org.au
a. PO Box 40 Smithfield Plains, SA 5114
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