Lived Experience Forum

[plantlover123]

Hi everyone, 

I'm looking for recommendations for support coordination providers specialising in mental health/psychosocial disability.

I'm based in WA but would be absolutely fine with remote support.

So far a friend has suggested:

• Stride Australia 
• Mind Australia
• Helping Minds

If anyone can advise or recommend, I'd be so grateful.

This is all very daunting and due to cognitive dysfunction I need all the help I can get. Also any advice on fast tracking the process would be amazing.

Also, any tips or tricks for a first time NDIS applicant?

I'm on a Centrelink pension due to my psychosocial disability and have a great clinical team that can assist.

Thank you all!

[Bill16]

Hello @plantlover123 I too am on a disability pension for my MI,I am with NDIS,I will try answer any questions you might have

[Gwynn]

The NDIS planning meeting is not strengths-based. If you go in saying what you can do, the NDIS will take scissors to your plan.

When you are preparing for your planning meeting, you might like to write down the story of a typical week in your life, but assuming that every day is the worst-case scenario for your disability.

Anything that you can do with supports, it is essential to say 'I am supported to do XYZ by such-and-such a formal or informal support'.

Don't forget to consider what could happen if some of your informal supports go on holiday or whatever.

Talk about what you want to do, or what you imagine you could do if you did not have your disability - if you want to be supported to learn to drive, so you can visit your friends who live far away independently, say so!

Supports must be reasonable, necessary, and related to your disability. For example, you will probably require OT support. You may also ask for support in exercise programs which can help you to manage symptoms.

If you're on Facebook, try the NDIS Grassroots Discussion group - you'll get a lot of help there.

[plantlover123]

Hey thanks!
I feel like I'm completely in the dark, thank you for your support. How long did your application take to be approved, and did you go through a support provider?

[plantlover123]

Thank you so much!!
A friend said "do not downplay your barriers or symptoms", this makes sense.
I'll make some lists before any meetings, Worst Case Days included.
I will check out the fb group, thank you!!

[Bill16]

My mum is my carer @plantlover123  so I will ask her and get back to you

[Bill16]

It took quite a while,but now I get case worker twice a week, psychiatrist once a month and I get my lawn mowed @plantlover123 

[Bill16]

I'm not sure what advice I can give you @plantlover123 

[Gwynn]

@plantlover123, something that is really helpful about the Facebook group is that you get all kinds of ideas about what people are asking for and how people are asking for certain things.

[tyme]

Hi @plantlover123 ,

I agree with @Gwynn  (thank you for such a helpful post!)

The NDIS is definitely NOT strengths-based.

Main focus is to gather as much evidence of the IMPACT of the disability on daily functioning for each application domain (e.g. Social interaction, mobility, communication etc).

Evidence can be from GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, OT, support workers.

Also, don't get discouraged if your access request gets rejected the first time. Keep trying!

All the best!

tyme