Jim Simpson jcsimpson@optusnet.com.au

The NDIS and people with

intellectual disability and a

mental health problem

The people

• Definition and impact of ID

• 400,000 with ID in Australia

• 120,000 also have a mental disorder

• Diagnosis is challenging

• Challenging behaviour / mental

disorders

• Disability and health services need to

work together

• Commonly, they don’t

National Roundtable 2013

• 95 leaders

• Key elements of reform

• Recommendations for action

Key elements of an effective system

1. Inclusion in all mental health initiatives

2. Prevention and timely intervention

3. Equitable access to skilled mental health

services

4. Specialist IDMH services

5. Collaboration between disability, schools, health

and others – NDIS a stark opportunity

6. Workforce education and training

7. Enhanced data collection

8. Addressing multiple disadvantage

The NDIS

• Massive potential

• Rushed

• If it hadn’t been…….

• Much to be resolved, fixed eg

people with ID and mental illness

• Need to be strategic and

constructive - national and launch

sites

Accessing the NDIS with ID and

a mental health problem

• Linkage and engagement

• Tier 2

• Becoming a participant

Disability requirement

• Permanent impairment(s)

• Resulting in substantially reduced

functional capacity or psychosocial

functioning

• Preparing a participant’s plan

– The person’s goals

– Participant supports – general

supports and

– NDIS funded supports

• Based on assessment of needs arising

from disability

• Not supports more appropriately funded

through mainstream agencies eg mental

health and AOD services. BUT support

and collaboration with these is vital.

– Support through this process is vital

– And nominees for some

Support and collaboration with

mainstream agencies

• Mental health

• Physical health

• AOD

• Justice – police, legal aid,

compliance

Structures for very complex needs

Leverage off the NDIS

Win – win – win if people collaborate

• The person

• The NDIS

• Health services

COAG framework for collaboration

• National Disability Strategy – Improved

health care is 1/6 key outcomes.

• Principles to Determine the

Responsibilities of the NDIS and Other

Service Systems

– Health - clinical services

– NDIS – support focused on functional ability

including for ADLs and community participation

Indigenous Australians

Face further challenges

• Assessment tools

• Services’ attunement and

accessibility

• Multiple disadvantage

• Need for community controlled

programs

In short, for people with ID&MH..

• Mental health services need to

improve

• The NDIS offers much and the

launch years are an opportunity to

get it right

• Collaboration is vital

• The community sector is vital to

getting it right

NSW Council for Intellectual Disability

W: www.nswcid.org.au

For information on ID mental health, go to

Standard English > Advocacy > Health

And

Participants or just policed? at

Standard English > Advocacy >

Accommodation and support