Supporting Mental Health in NDIS

To equip support workers, psychosocial recovery coaches, coordinators, and case managers with the knowledge, skills, and ethical frameworks needed to:

1. Understand Psychosocial Disability & Mental Health

   • Recognize the relationship between mental illness and psychosocial disability, including the impacts of trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers on NDIS participants.

2. Identify & Respond to Mental Health Conditions

   • Accurately recognize symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia in daily support contexts, while debunking myths and reducing stigma.

3. Apply Recovery-Oriented Practices

   • Uphold NDIS recovery principles (hope, choice, empowerment) by collaborating with participants, families, and mental health teams to personalize support plans.

4. Safely Manage Distress & Crisis Situations

   • Use de-escalation techniques, recognize early warning signs (e.g., withdrawal, agitation), and follow protocols for crisis intervention (Mental Health First Aid, 000 escalation).

5. Foster Stability Through Relationships & Routines

   • Build trusting, boundaried relationships that promote independence, using structured routines, medication adherence support, and social inclusion strategies.

6. Meet Duty of Care & Compliance Obligations

   • Document and report risks (e.g., self-harm, suicidal ideation) per NDIS Practice Standards, ensuring timely escalation to supervisors or crisis teams.

7. Prioritize Worker Wellbeing & Boundaries

   • Mitigate compassion fatigue through self-care plans, supervision access, and clear professional boundaries.

Outcome: Learners will demonstrate competency via scenario-based assessments, enabling them to balance participant autonomy with safety while aligning with NDIS compliance and trauma-informed care principles.