The Andrews Labor Government is stepping in to make sure Ballarat locals living with severe mental illness and psychosocial disabilities don’t fall through the cracks of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley today announced $2.3 million over two years for Ballarat Health and Uniting, a leading community services provider, to deliver support to locals who have a significant, enduring psychosocial disability but can’t yet access the NDIS or are ineligible.

Too many Victorians are being denied the support they deserve because Scott Morrison and the Federal Liberals have mismanaged the NDIS.

The funding is part of the Labor Government’s $50 million Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response, which has been allocated to 16 health services across Victoria to provide support to about 3500 clients of the clinical mental health service system at any one time. It will also help secure more than 200 mental health support jobs.

The NDIS is one of the most significant reforms in Australia’s history and participants with a psychosocial disability are the third highest participant type.

But thousands of Victorians have been delayed access to the scheme, with the Federal Government’s botched roll-out creating unfair stress for individuals, carers and families.

This initiative means people living with a psychosocial disability can get help to participate in community life, develop practical life skills for independent living and self-care and get the support they need to make the journey towards recovery.

Disability and community mental health agencies will also have access to an additional $20 million in grants to help them adapt their business model and respond to the challenges raised by the transition to NDIS.

Quote attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

“We will not sit back while Victorians living with serious mental illness and psychosocial disability are made to wait for the care they need because of the botched NDIS roll-out.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Disability Luke Donnellan

“This is just another example of how Victoria is leading the way in supporting people with disability as we fight for a fairer, high quality NDIS.”

 Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“This initiative will ensure locals who need it can receive treatment and care in the community, which will improve their ability to self-manage their mental illness, form meaningful relationships and participate in everyday life.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This initiative will also help support hundreds of jobs for Victoria’s highly skilled psychosocial workforce, through the NDIS transition.”