G’day folks! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of navigating mental health services, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) might just be the lifeline you’ve been waiting for. For many Aussies, the NDIS is a crucial support net that eases the burdens often associated with mental health challenges.

Think of NDIS like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but for mental health support. From counselling and therapy to assistive technologies, the program offers a smorgasbord of options designed to meet individual needs. It’s not merely about crisis management; it’s about long-term, sustainable mental well-being.

Personalised Support Plans

One of the standout features of the NDIS is its personalised support plans. Unlike generic mental health services, these plans are tailor-made. They cater to your specific needs, allowing for a more targeted approach to improving mental well-being.

Remember that time you tried on a custom suit, and it just fit perfectly? That’s what an NDIS plan feels like. It’s designed around you, offering the kind of support that fits like a glove.

Affordability and Accessibility

Another area where the NDIS shines is affordability. Let’s face it, mental health services can be pricey. The NDIS removes this financial hurdle, making it easier for people to get the help they need without the stress of looming bills.

And it’s accessible too! Whether you’re in bustling Perth or the remote edges of Western Australia, the NDIS ensures that mental health support is within your grasp. With options like telehealth, geographical barriers are a thing of the past. Talk about a win-win!

Wide Variety of Services

Feeling a bit like a deer caught in headlights with all the services on offer? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The NDIS offers an extensive range of services. Everything from psychological counselling to social skills training falls under its umbrella. You can even access employment support services, helping you integrate back into the workforce seamlessly.

It’s like having a Swiss Army knife in your mental health toolkit. There’s a little bit of everything to help you navigate life’s ups and downs.

Family and Carer Support

Ever heard the saying, “It takes a village”? The NDIS gets that. It recognises the importance of involving families and carers in the support process. They offer resources and training to help those closest to you provide better support. When your inner circle knows how to help, it makes the road to recovery a lot smoother.

Think of it as a team sport. When the whole team is equipped and ready, the chances of winning—or in this case, recovering—are significantly higher.

Case Study: A Story of Hope

Take Jane, for example. After struggling with anxiety and depression for years, she was drowning under the weight of her mental health issues. When she finally discovered the NDIS, her life began to change. With a personalised plan in place, Jane received counselling, social skills training, and employment support. Today, she’s not just surviving; she’s thriving.

And Jane isn’t alone. Stories like hers are becoming increasingly common as more people take advantage of NDIS services tailored to mental health.

Bridging the Gap Between Mental and Physical Health

Mental health isn’t isolated; it’s interconnected with physical health. The NDIS understands this connection. By providing access to a range of healthcare providers under one scheme, it ensures a more holistic approach to health and well-being. Whether it’s through diet, exercise, or medication management, the NDIS supports all facets of your health.

So, next time you hear someone say, “mind over matter,” you’ll know they’re onto something. The healthier your mind, the better your body will feel too.

Conclusion: Taking the First Step

Exploring the labyrinth of mental health services can feel daunting. But with the NDIS, you’re not navigating it alone. The scheme offers targeted, affordable, and comprehensive support that makes tackling mental health obstacles a bit less challenging.

If you or someone you know is struggling, taking that first step towards NDIS support might be the best decision you make today. After all, every journey starts with a single step. So why not take yours?

Ready to get started? Our team at Vision Counselling is here to help. Whether you’re looking for individual counselling, relationship advice, or just a helping hand, we’re only a click away. Book your session online today, and let’s walk this path together.

One of the most challenging parts of dementia is watching the substantial changes in behaviour, which can range from being embarrassing, such as inappropriate outbursts, to provoke worry, such as wandering or hallucinations. The most important thing is not to blame yourself for these changes or feel too embarrassed to seek help or respite care. Don’t isolate yourself or try to handle the changes in behaviour alone.

Communication

Many problems associated with dementia care can come from the frustration and stress associated with the changes in communication. As the dementia progresses, the person you care for may find it more difficult to find words, speak fluently, understand, write, read or express emotions. They may also be more easily confused, have increased hand gestures, have inappropriate outbursts, and ignore or interrupt you. Problems with communication can not only lead to the person you care for to feel more stressed and confused, but can leave you frustrated and exhausted. Managing these communication difficulties can help you feel more calm, in control and will help you to not become overwhelmed.

To help you manage communication, follow these Dos and Don’ts:

DO

• Stay calm and allow them time to understand and respond to you
• Keep communication short, simple and clear
• Speak slowly
• Avoid becoming frustrated
• Use closed-ended questions – questions that can be answered using a “yes” or “no”
• Be prepared to use repetition as much as necessary
• Avoid talking in a noisy environment
• Be consistent in your approach to communication
• Remember that they still have feelings and emotions even though they may not always understand what is going on or what you’re saying

DON’T

• Say things such as asking them “do you remember?” “Did you forget?”
• Use sarcasm or irony, even if they are meant humourously
• Ask questions that challenge their short term memory
• Point out the person’s memory difficulty
• Argue, be condescending, or ask questions that rely on a good memory
• Talk in front of the person as if he or she were not present

Looking after yourself

Here are a few tips you can follow to help you look after your physical and emotional health:

• Plan ahead – planning ahead can help minimise the stress on you. This may include respite care
• Respite care – respite care provides you a break from your caring role, because it is important to look after you
• Talk to a counsellor – seek individual counselling or speak to a health professional about your situation
• Maintain physical health – a healthy helps you to cope with the stress

If you would like further information from Psychologists Perth or to find a psychologist or counsellor to help, contact us today.

How does disengaging help?

Disengaging your mind can improve your care-giving and your personal wellbeing by helping you:

• Relieve tension and feel less stressed
• Feel refreshed and ready to tackle challenges
• Have a more optimistic outlook
• Have clarity and calmness
• Develop an inner confidence
• Be happier and more mindful
• Become more open and willing
• Feel more energetic

We know that meditation and relaxation techniques are useful in stress reduction and promoting a healthy wellbeing, but we don’t always do it. If you can, try to meditate as often as you can, but for those of us who struggle to bring ourselves to begin, feel we can’t do it, or simply feel we have too little time, there are simple activities that can help disengage the mind.

These activities can be done throughout the day and are very quick. They essentially involve being mindful and fully attentive when carrying out activities. When your mind’s attention is held focussing on what’s happening at that moment, or engulfed in an activity, it is able to disengage from any thoughts and feelings. They provide a temporary escape and you can do them with almost any activity (so there are no excuses!).

2 Simple ways to disengage

Here are two simple suggestions from Russ Harris, a stress management therapist.

While making tea:

Notice all the different sounds involved, listening to the changes in pitch, volume, timbre, and rhythm: the crescendo of the kettle filling up, the sharp click of the “on” switch, the rumble of boiling water, the hiss of escaping steam, the swoosh as you pour the water into the cup, the trickle as you lift the teabag out, and the gentle splosh as you add sugar or milk.

Notice all the different visual elements, including shapes, colours, textures and light and shadow: the thick rush of steam spouting from the kettle, the misty swirls of steam rising from the water in the cup, the light rippling on the surface as you dunk the teabag, the dark stream of tea diffusing from through the hot water, the fluffy clouds of milk billowing up to the surface.

Notice all the different body movements required: the effortless interaction of your shoulder, arm, hand and eyes as you’re lifting up the kettle, turning on the tap, replacing the kettle, pouring the water, dunking the teabag and so on.

While eating:

Pause for a moment before your first bite, and notice the different aromas of the various ingredients and the colours, shapes and textures of the different foods. Then, as you cut up the food, notice the sounds made by your cutlery and the movements of your hands and arms and shoulders. And as you eat the first mouthful, notice the tastes and textures in your mouth, as if you were a gourmet food critic who has never tasted a meal like this before.

Seeking help?

Our counsellors offer support for carers through individual counselling. Vision is also a service provider for the NDIS and can deliver counselling to NDIS participant’s carers that are deem reasonable and necessary. For further information and support through counselling, contact us today.

Connecting to a community you have not been a part of because of long-term illness or disability, or, reconnecting with your community after a period of disengagement, whether it is due to illness (physical or mental) or adjustment to an acquired disability can be difficult, but worthwhile.

Connection to community not only aids physical, mental and psychological wellbeing, it is the right of all people regardless of ability, health or capacity to be included in their community.

Ways to reconnect with your community

There are many pathways through which you can connect or reconnect with your community, some of these include –

• Community gardens – these offer people the opportunity to experience nature and become involved in the care and maintenance of vegetable gardens, flower beds and other projects such as worm farms.
• Volunteering – many groups and organisations need people who can offer their time, experience and knowledge to help others.
• Social media – offers access to many groups, organisations and forums which encourage people to become involved and connected through, sharing of experiences, ideas or opinions in an on-line community.
• Further education, workshops and training – these offer individuals the chance for growth, experimentation, and gaining of specific knowledge.

Along with everyday activities such as-

• Shopping at your local shopping center
• Seeing a movie at your local cinema
• Visiting your local library
• Having a coffee at your local café

These are all ways to feel connected to and involved in your local community and also offer the opportunity for the development of relationships, the supporting and building of self-esteem and the demonstration of ability.

A lack of community involvement can lead to isolation, stress, unhappiness and even depression. If disconnection or lack of involvement in the local community is an issue for you or for someone you care for and you would like to change this, you may find these services useful –

• Volunteering WA – there are many opportunities available through their website and whether a person is suitable or not for a position depends on their individual abilities/disabilities
• Inclusion WA – this organisation can help link people with a disability to volunteering positions in the community depending on their interests
• Local area coordinators for the Disability Services Commission are also another resource for connecting people to possible volunteer positions in their community
• Finally depending on the persons disability the organisation that represents them i.e.,  the Autism Association for people with Autism or Vision Australia for those people who are vision impaired are also good places for a person looking for a volunteer position to begin this search.

If you feel you need emotional or psychological support regarding community inclusion or you are a carer for someone and you feel you need individual counselling, you may benefit from talking to a therapist, counsellor, psychologist or your G.P.

Vision Counselling and Psychology is disability service provider in Perth for the NDIS and WA NDIS delivering therapy supports including counselling and psychology. Please contact us for further information on disability services and how we can help to support you.

In order to help overcome these barriers and create a sense of comfort for both parties, guidelines have been developed.

Most disability etiquette guidelines seem to be predicated on a simple dictate: “Do not assume …” They are written to address real and perceived shortcomings in how society as a whole treats people with disabilities.

“Do not assume …“:

“… a person with a disability either wants or requires assistance.”

“… rejection of aid is meant as a personal affront.”

“… upon acceptance of your help, that you know, without being told, what service to perform.”

“… a person who appears to have one kind of disability also has others.”

“… a person with a disability is dissatisfied with his/her quality of life, and is thus seeking pity.”

“… a person with a disability is easily offended.”

“… that a person who does not appear to have a disability, or who uses assistive devices intermittently instead of all of the time, is faking or imagining their disability.”

“… companions accompanying a person with a disability are there strictly to render service.”

“… a person with a disability will be receptive to personal questions, particularly in a public setting.”

“… that when a person with a disability is in a public place, that they are being escorted by a caretaker, instead of travelling alone.”

Basic tips

• Avoid asking personal questions about someone’s disability.
• Be considerate of the extra time it might take for a person with particular disabilities to do or say something.
• Be polite and patient when offering assistance, and wait until your offer is accepted. Listen or ask for specific instructions.  Be prepared for your offer to be refused.
• Relax.  Anyone can make mistakes.  Offer an apology if you feel you’ve caused embarrassment.  Keep a sense of humour and be willing to communicate.

 Speaking or writing

• Refer to a person’s disability only when necessary and appropriate.
• Refer to the individual first, then to their disability (i.e. “person with disability,” rather than “disabled person”).
• The following terms should be avoided because they can have negative meanings: invalid, able-bodied, wheelchair-bound, victim, crippled, defect, suffers from, handicap, a patient.
• Avoid terms that imply that people with disabilities are overly courageous, brave, special, or superhuman.

Face to face communication

• Use a normal tone of voice when welcoming a person with disability. Do not raise your voice unless you are asked to.
• Shake hands even if the person has limited hand use or wears an artificial limb. A left-hand shake is acceptable. If the person cannot shake hands, acknowledge them with a smile and a spoken greeting.
• When planning a meeting or other event, think about specific accommodations a person with a disability might need. If a barrier cannot be avoided, let the person know ahead of time.
• Look and speak directly to the person with disability, not just to the people accompanying them, including interpreters.
• Don’t patronise or talk down to people with a disability. Treat adults as adults.
• Be patient and give your undivided attention, especially with someone who speaks slowly or with great effort.
• Never pretend to understand what a person is saying if you don’t. Ask the person to repeat or rephrase, or offer them a pen and paper.
• If requested to by the individual, offer a person with a vision impairment your elbow, to guide rather than propel them.
• It is okay to use common expressions like “see you soon” or “I’d better be running along”.

The main thing to remember is that a person with disability is just like everyone else – treat the person as you would want to be treated.

If you would like to speak with a psychologist or counsellor in Perth, you are very welcome to contact Vision Counselling and Psychology to find out more about the NDIS Counselling, and disability services.

Whatever difficulties the person with the disability may have, volunteering can highlight the skills they do have. Recognition and development of skills and abilities via volunteering can lead to feelings of inclusion and achievement. One of the many benefits of volunteering is that it reduces the likelihood of mental health issues like anxiety and depression occurring. Being a contributing and valued member of their community means that people with disabilities develop skills and make connections that support healthy mental states.

Positive benefits for people with disabilities of community inclusion via volunteering

• Community connections are made
• Skills are discovered and developed
• Leads to better mental health

Possible volunteer positions may be investigated by

• Contacting to the Disability Services Commission, or
• Contacting the person’s local shire or council offices

Either of these may be a good place to start and may have knowledge of suitable volunteer positions available in the area the person lives in.

If you would like to speak with a counsellor in Perth, you are welcome to contact Vision Counselling and Psychology to find out more about our services including the NDIS, WA NDIS and disability services.

Being a carer involves stress, this stress may come from:

• Heavier workloads
• Family disharmony
• Household disruption
• Financial pressure

These issues may be long term and not easily solved leading to chronic stress.

Symptoms of carer stress may include:

• Feelings of anxiety or depression
• Feeling run down/tired
• Feeling easily upset
• Increase in drinking, smoking or drug use
• Decrease or increase in appetite
• No interest in usual activities

If stressors are not addressed then carer burn out is likely to occur.

Symptoms of carer burn out can include:

• Illness, colds and flu’s etc
• Inability to relax even though you feel completely exhausted
• Feeling moody and irritable
• Feeling helpless or hopeless

Carer burn out can affect the carer’s ability to not only care for themselves and other family members, but also the person that they are caring for. Unaddressed carer burn out may mean that continuing to be a carer is unhealthy for the carer and the person being cared for.

Ways to avoid carer burn out

Continual care giving without appropriate breaks, such as weekends off or holidays or even a couple of hours to do something nice for yourself is likely to lead to carer burn out.

There are many ways to make sure that you as the carer are taken care of. These may include:

• Using respite care.

Respite care is available through many private and government programs and may provide a break overnight, for a weekend or more.

• Accepting offers of help.

This may be as simple accepting a cooked meal from a neighbour, or allowing a friend to clean your windows for you.

• Letting someone else take control for a while.

Feeling that you are the only one who ‘can do it’ is an added burden so allowing someone else to take the wheel can ease the stress.

• Talk about it.

Talking to someone, whether an empathic friend, counsellor or other professional can allow you to feel heard and supported reducing stress by focusing on how you feel.

• Take time for you.

Have a massage, go to an exercise class, catch up with a friend for coffee the possibilities are endless.

• Seek support.

Joining a support group (in person or on-line) can be a way to spend time with others who know what you are going through. Feeling that your situation is understood by someone else can make you feel less alone and more supported.

If you would like to find out more about individual counselling or support through Vision or the NDIS, WA NDIS and disability services in Perth, contact us today.