Foundational supports... the gap not covered by NDIS

I was only reading this this morning. I can see how people are 'lost' between 2 systems and they are not alone in this @Dimity

@Dimity thanks for the tag and sorry for the slow reply. We are absolutely watching and getting involved in this space, keen for you and other members to tell me more about the NDIS and the NDIS review, expected changes, what should the future look like etc. Do Forum members have a strong understanding of the NDIS review and what it means @tyme or are there other needs that would support some webinars? Are there particular NDIS topics or psychosocial disability / psychosocial support and access topics that members want SANE to cover / create resources for or hold events and discussions on?

Thanks @RachSANECEO .

At risk of repeating myself. I think it's vital that the senior cohort with chronic MH concerns who have never been eligible for NDIS have equivalent fair and equitable care and supports through My Aged Care - and if this is not possible a supplementary scheme should be advocated for and introduced.

I agree. One well known supplier of a service is winding up their services in the area where I live. I felt let down but then I decided to see if I could start a support group and learn more about peer support. Nothing seems to be happening from the state government.

I listened to ABC News Radio and they talked about Art In Therapy. I think I am in dire need of getting involved in this regional area but I would not want my local LHD to coordinate it. It is successfully being done through Hunter and Newcastle LHD with university funding. I like the art I do and the chance to talk to others while I am concentrating. If I were in a support group talking about Bipolar I would be triggered because that is how it feels telling a community mental health how I have been (with severe consequences). Could there be some collaboration outside of the NDIS with NFP groups? I would not want to chair anything but I would definitely connect if I felt it were a safe space with no judgement.

hi @Sequester , @Jynx @Dimity

I am a psychosocial participant on the ndis and went through a fairbit recently with this one - had my plan cut, fought it, had it doubled, but had a few changes.

Art therapy was taken away from me, which was sad, and they took a very hardline approach about what can or can't help ppl with psychosocial disability.

I learnt a lot through the process though and just wanted to put it out there, within the anonymity of the forums, that if anyone needs a little help with a plan review or some support, I would really be happy to try. The system is clunky and I feel psychosocial participants are being targetted. If u need help, i can try?

Thanks, that's a kind offer @EternalFlower .

I've just cancelled one of my regular support groups as the infighting was getting me down. I'm mulling what to do next.

I have the impression quite a few forumites have unmet psychosocial support needs.

@Dimity i'm so sorry to hear that. i know that was not okay when that happened. was the support group good at the start, and then deteriorated?

my ndis plan is quite good, but i lost a few things in the plan review. I used to have respite funded, and it was taken away. I also had art therapy, and it was taken. I had cleaning taken away, but I got it back.

Hi @EternalFlower I am seriously thinking about offering my time in this regional area to do art with others in a space organised by a NFP without NSW Health. If we cannot get art therapy under the NDIS then why not do it ourselves. There is a programme called Art In Therapy but it is run through NSW Health. I would like some space where I can just talk while I draw. It is therapeutic. I am doing it for a PhD study as well into bipolar and creativity. Feel free to DM me.

@EternalFlower I noticed the difficult group dynamics when I joined, and they seemed to get worse even after one of perpetrators asked for the group to be split. And I felt ostracised eg one person would ask me a question, wait til I started answering then turn her back to talk to others - which happened a number of times.

@Sequester as an anonymous space there's no capacity to DM people. You may have trouble getting the art therapy class approved for participant funding unless you're qualified. But as a private gettogether it sounds great.