Mental Health & Psychosocial Disability

Mental health is about how we think, feel and cope with everyday life. It affects how we relate to other people, manage stress and make decisions.

Good mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. Healthdirect describes it as a state of wellbeing where a person can cope with the normal stresses of life, learn and work productively, use their abilities and contribute to their community. Everyone's mental health changes over time, and even people with good mental health experience difficult feelings sometimes.

A mental health condition is a health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels or behaves. Examples include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mental health conditions are common in Australia. They vary in how long they last and how much they affect daily life. Many people recover, or learn to manage their condition well, with the right support.

A mental health condition is not a personal weakness. Only a qualified health professional can assess and diagnose a mental health condition. This page does not provide diagnosis or treatment advice.

Psychosocial disability is the term used to describe a disability that may arise from a mental health condition. It is not a diagnosis. It describes the impact a condition has on a person's ability to take part in everyday life.

Not everyone with a mental health condition has a psychosocial disability. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different experiences and support needs.

The impact of psychosocial disability can go up and down. A person may have periods where they manage well and periods where they need more support.

Psychosocial disability can affect areas such as communicating, socialising, learning, looking after yourself and managing daily life. This might include keeping up with household tasks, managing money and appointments, using transport, or finding and keeping work or study.

Some people find it hard to concentrate, stay motivated or feel confident in social situations. Others may find it difficult to leave home or keep a regular routine. These effects are not always visible to others.

Recovery is personal and looks different for everyone. For many people, it means living a meaningful life, with or without ongoing symptoms. Recovery is not always a straight line.

A GP is often a good first step. Your usual GP can assess your needs and, where appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which can give access to Medicare rebates for sessions with eligible mental health professionals.

Support can also come from community mental health services, peer support workers, family and friends. The right mix depends on each person's needs, which may change over time.

A mental health diagnosis on its own does not make someone eligible for the NDIS. To meet the NDIS disability requirements, a person needs an impairment from a mental health condition that is, or is likely to be, permanent and that substantially affects their ability to do everyday activities. The NDIA decides each application individually.

For eligible participants, NDIS funding may include supports to build daily living and social skills, help to take part in community activities, and psychosocial recovery coaches, who help participants plan and coordinate their NDIS supports alongside their mental health care.

The NDIS does not replace community mental health services or treatment provided through the health system. People who are not eligible for the NDIS can still access other mental health services.

In an emergency, or if someone is at immediate risk, call Triple Zero (000). Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offer confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For help finding local mental health services, Medicare Mental Health offers a free phone service on 1800 595 212 (weekdays, 8:30am to 5pm, excluding public holidays). Healthdirect also provides reliable, government-funded health information.

The sources used for this page are listed below, followed by more detailed guides on the main Cenplus Care website.