.png)
NDIS and Mental Health: Support Strategies for South East Queensland Residents
- Amanda Scott
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Understanding the Connection Between Mental Health and the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) isn’t just for physical disabilities. It also provides support for psychosocial disabilities, a term used to describe disabilities that arise from mental health conditions.
People experiencing long-term challenges like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety may face difficulty with social interaction, self-care, employment, or mobility. These daily life barriers, when persistent, qualify as a disability under the NDIS.
The scheme’s goal is to enable individuals with psychosocial disabilities to live more independently and engage with their communities, with tailored funding and supports.
What Is a Psychosocial Disability and Who Qualifies?
Not every mental health condition is a psychosocial disability. The NDIS defines psychosocial disability as:
“A mental health issue that significantly impacts a person’s ability to function in everyday life across multiple areas, and is likely to be permanent.”
Common qualifying conditions include:
Schizophrenia
Bipolar affective disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Major depressive disorder (chronic)
Generalised anxiety disorder (severe)
To qualify, a person must show:
Their condition is likely permanent
It significantly reduces their ability to participate in everyday activities
They need support (beyond what is available from general health services)
The Growing Need for Mental Health Support in Queensland
Mental health challenges have grown sharply across South East Queensland,
particularly post-pandemic. According to Queensland Health:
1 in 5 people experience a mental health issue in any given year
The Gold Coast region has seen a 24% increase in presentations related to anxiety and depression since 2020
Access to consistent community-based support remains limited in Logan, Tweed, and hinterland areas
The NDIS plays a critical role in bridging this gap, if participants can access the right supports.
What Supports Are Available for Mental Health Through the NDIS?
The NDIS can fund a wide range of supports for those with psychosocial disabilities, including:
Recovery Coaching
Specialist support that blends mental health knowledge with NDIS navigation. Coaches work on:
Strengths-based goal setting
Crisis planning
Building resilience and social connection
Support Coordination
Helps participants connect with services, manage their funding, and prepare for reviews.
Therapeutic Supports
Includes psychology, counselling, occupational therapy, and behavioural therapy tailored to mental health.
Social and Community Participation
Funding for group programs, peer support groups, and one-on-one support to attend events or join activities.
Core Supports
Covers daily living needs such as personal care, meal prep, transport, or maintaining routines during low periods.
How to Apply for NDIS with a Mental Health Condition
To apply, you’ll need evidence of your condition and its impact. This includes:
NDIS Access Request Form
Functional impact reports from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or GP
A Psychosocial Disability Evidence Form completed by a health professional
Examples of support needs across daily life (housing, employment, self-care)
Tip: It’s not enough to prove you have a diagnosis. You must show how your condition disables you functionally, and that it is likely to be long-term.
The Role of Support Workers in Mental Health Recovery
NDIS-funded support workers play a vital role in recovery. They can:
Help participants maintain routines
Assist with appointments or therapy follow-up
Support skill-building (e.g. cooking, cleaning, budgeting)
Prevent isolation by encouraging social activity
Monitor signs of decline and escalate concerns to coordinators
At iKare, we pair clients with mental health-trained support workers who understand emotional triggers, self-regulation challenges, and how to support without judgment.
Why Recovery Coaching Matters
Recovery coaches offer a unique blend of mental health experience and NDIS expertise. They differ from support coordinators by focusing more deeply on:
Understanding your recovery journey
Identifying early warning signs
Helping rebuild relationships
Encouraging agency and choice in support planning
They are particularly helpful for participants with fluctuating capacity.
Support Strategies That Work: Local Success Stories from Gold Coast and Tweed
“L” from Burleigh Waters
Struggled with chronic anxiety and couldn’t leave home. With a recovery coach and support worker, she now shops weekly, attends yoga, and is working on a return to part-time work.
“D” in Tweed Heads
A young man with undiagnosed PTSD was initially rejected by the NDIS. With advocacy support from iKare and new functional assessments, he secured funding for therapy, travel, and coaching.
Mental Health and Crisis Planning in Your NDIS Plan
Mental health recovery isn’t linear. That’s why it’s essential to include crisis planning in your NDIS goals.
Ask your coordinator or recovery coach to help build a Crisis Management Plan, which can include:
Emergency contacts
De-escalation strategies
Preferred hospital or treatment facility
Temporary housing options if unsafe
NDIS funds may also be used for temporary increased supports during crisis periods under Core.
Common Challenges Participants Face (and How iKare Helps Overcome Them)
Stigma: Feeling shame or reluctance to seek help
Inconsistent provider knowledge: Some therapists are unfamiliar with NDIS pathways
Lack of clarity: Participants unsure what’s included or what supports to ask for
Isolation: Especially in rural areas or after a crisis
iKare addresses these by offering personalised support coordination, lived experience-informed services, and regular check-ins to ensure you feel safe, seen, and supported.
How iKare Matches Clients with the Right Mental Health Support Workers
We go beyond availability, we look at:
Personality compatibility
Experience with specific diagnoses
Cultural background and preferences
Feedback from previous clients
All of our staff receive ongoing training in mental health awareness, trauma-informed care, and respectful engagement.
Community Mental Health Resources in South East QLD
In addition to NDIS, here are great free or low-cost services:
Service | What They Offer | Location |
Headspace | Youth mental health support (12–25) | Southport, Upper Coomera |
Mind Australia | Community recovery services | Logan, Tweed Heads |
QLD Health CYMHS | Child & Youth Mental Health Services | Brisbane South, Gold Coast |
Beyond Blue | Phone and online support | Australia-wide |
Open Arms | Veteran-focused mental health support | Robina |
What to Do If Your NDIS Application Is Denied or Under supported
Rejections aren’t the end. You can:
Request a review of the decision within 3 months
Submit additional documentation (new reports or examples)
Engage a support coordinator or advocate to help present your case clearly
Go through internal review or external AAT appeal
iKare has supported clients through every step, successfully overturning denials through persistence and evidence.
FAQs
Q: What is psychosocial recovery coaching?
A: It’s a support designed specifically for mental health–related disabilities. Coaches assist with planning, goal setting, and recovery-based progress.
Q: What mental health services can NDIS fund?
A: Counselling, psychology, recovery coaching, support workers, and community programs, all depending on your goals.
Q: Do I need a psychiatrist to apply for NDIS?
A: Not necessarily. A GP, psychologist, or mental health nurse can also provide reports if they have detailed knowledge of your condition.
Conclusion – You’re Not Alone: Getting the Mental Health Support You Deserve
Mental health support through the NDIS is real, valuable, and life-changing, but navigating it can be tough.
That’s where iKare Support Services comes in. We walk with you through every step: planning, applications, recovery, and connection.
📍 Serving participants across the Gold Coast, South Brisbane, and Tweed Heads, we bring clarity, compassion, and experience to mental health support under the NDIS.
🟣 Need help getting started or updating your plan?
📞 Contact our team today.
Comments