The provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition Submission 121 - Supplementary Submission 1
28th March 2017
Hon Kevin Andrews MP
Chair
Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Mr Andrews,
Endorsement of the Community Mental Health Association submission to the provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition by Australians for Disability Justice
Australians for Disability Justice is writing to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS to endorse the submission by Community Mental Health Australia to the inquiry into the provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition.
It is clear that there are significant number of people with cognitive impairments who also experience psycho-social impairments – and that there is a disproportionate number of this group who are involved in the criminal justice system. Many of this group either do not identify as having a disability or their disability may not be identified. They are often individuals in very complex sets of circumstances who experience high rates of poverty and isolation. Many of this group receive psycho-social support from programs including Partners in Recovery (PIR) and Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHAMS)
The Community Mental Health Association has provided a comprehensive analysis of the impact on people with a psycho-social impairment relating to a mental health condition in relation to receiving services from the NDIS. Specific references that are of significance for Australians for Disability Justice include:
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) moving away from face-to-face assessment and planning for people applying for the NDIS which will have a significant impact on all people applying for the NDIS, but particularly people with any form of cognitive impairment or disability. The lack of transparency in the bilateral agreements which provide no information on funding contributions or commitments by governments to both the NDIS or state and territory mental health programs and services. Having a stated guarantee of ‘continuity of service’ provides only assurances in word but not in actuallity. The transferring of funds for federally funded mental health programs from the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) - Partners in Recoovery (PIR), Day to Day Living (D2DL) and Personal Helpers and Mentors (PhaMs) - to the NDIS whilst many of the people currently receiving assistance from the funding will be ineligible for the NDIS.
Like people with a cognitive impairment people living with a mental illness are over-represented in the criminal justice system, particularly Indigenous Australians. Access to the NDIS represents a point in time opportunity to decrease incarceration rates for people with a cognitive impairment and psycho social impairment, again particularly for Indigenous Australians.
Australians for Disability Justice commend this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the
NDIS
Yours sincerely
Patrick McGee
Australians for Disability Justice
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