Question marks over NDIS mental health services
The Guardian released this morning that the NDIA was denying funds to people having severe mental health disabilities.
With around 4 million Australians reporting having a mental or behavioral condition, (ABS, 2014-2015) what is the responsibility of mental health services and the government?
We contacted the NDIS for statement, here is their reply:
There are several hundred delegates across the NDIA who assess and approve plans, informed by best practice, developed in consultation with respective sectors. Where additional expertise is required, delegates are supported by a range of specialist technical experts who provide advice on issues such as psychosocial conditions.
It is expected that approximately 64,000 people with a long-term psychosocial disability will be supported as participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) at completion of the national roll out in 2019/20.
The mainstream mental health system continues to be responsible for the broader group of people who require community-based psychosocial supports outside the NDIS.
As at 30 June 2017, 6093 NDIS participants (seven per cent of NDIS participants) with an approved plan recorded psychosocial disability as their primary disability.
Broadly, Scheme data for psychosocial disability is in line with the original Productivity Commission estimates.
Access requests are assessed by the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) National Access Team, in accordance with the agreed transition schedules for each state and territory. Specialist resources have been developed and will continue to be expanded in the National Access Team to support applications from people with psychosocial disability.