Attachment A
The NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group
Reflections by Evan Bichara
The NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group (NMHSRG) is not only made up of talented people – but I could easily add enthusiastic and motivated people. These combined traits of members of the NMHSRG are essential for the Scheme to be successful for people with psychosocial disability their families and carers. We all know that the considering the howof Scheme implementation for people with psychosocial disability is the essential process to ensure long term success. As a team we have carefully embedded this principle and havesought to consider Scheme transition thoroughly. Change and complexity can be difficult for everyone and the NMHSRG understands the need to underpin NDIS processes with a whole of population approach that includes people who will not be participants of the Scheme.
The NMHSRG knows that the community hashigh expectations of the NDIS. As such, it is important that the NDIS has the time to mature to its maximum or optimum level. The NMHSRG knows that increased motivation, choice and control over supports and the development of skills for people with a psychosocial disability can knock on benefits for the design of the Scheme. The lived experience of people accessing the Scheme can provide extraordinary insights for the ongoing refinement of the Scheme. My reflection is that it is too soon to for the NDIA to fully absorb the multitude of public comment and suggestion forward to drive NDIS performance. We must give the Scheme a chance to be implemented and a new NDIS culture to be developed. The NMHSRG supports the NDIA’s values of assurance, empowerment, responsibility, learning and integrity. In particular, the NMHSRG endorses the NDIA value of listening and learning and encourages openness from the NDIA and community about emerging issues and challenges. Opportunitiesfor growth must be embraced as the Scheme unfolds.
I can assure you that allmembers of the NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group aregenuinely interested in delivering a sustainable and optimal NDIS for all Australians. A key consideration for the NMHSRG is the need for coordination across services including with mainstream services such as Health. The NMHSRG will continue to be mindful of the population of people who require support but will not be participants in the Scheme. The NMHSRG also seeks to identify opportunities in the Scheme for people not currently receiving supports.
The NMHSRG will continue to exude the enthusiasm, focus, dedication and accountability necessary for a challenge of this magnitude. Setbacks will be inevitable. Since December 2014 the NMHSRG has developed into a collaborative, thought leading group in the context of mental health and the NDIS. This work has included informing the government’s response to national reviews such as the National Mental Health Commission’s Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services. It is only together that we can find solutions to the complex transition of mental health into the Scheme. This is the fundamental principle of driving the work of the NMHSRG in building an optimal NDIS for all Australians.
Mr Evan Bichara
Mental Health Consumer Advocate
Member, NDIA MentalHealth Sector Reference Group (NMHSRG)
Page 1 of 2