Currently, 47% of people with a disability receive only informal assistance to help them navigate their lives. They may therefore be missing out on the vital in-home and daily living support that they need.
This is often due to psychosocial disability, a term developed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. But what does this mean for the 4.4 million people in Australia living with some form of disability?
Keep reading to find out exactly what psychosocial disability is, why it affects many of our clients here at Gracious Australia, and how we help them lead the happiest, healthiest lives possible.
What is Psychosocial Disability?
Psychosocial disability refers to the challenges that affect a person’s ability to participate in society, particularly those with mental health conditions.
This term describes the range of social and economic impacts that they may face as a result of their condition. This could include building relationships, earning money, and buying things they need.
There are two distinct models of disability, which outline the different ways that society approaches people with disabilities in the mental health sector. These are:
- The Medical Model: Disability is a health condition that focuses on what an individual cannot do, and how their diagnosis should be treated.
- The Social Model: Disability is a result of the interaction between an individual living with a mental health condition and an environment that presents challenges, such as physical barriers and people’s attitudes.
Psychosocial disability falls under the social model. It therefore sees mental illness as a disability when individuals don’t receive the tailored disability support that they need to live equally alongside others in their community.
What Causes Psychosocial Disabilities?
Psychosocial disabilities arise when someone with a mild or severe mental illness such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder is forced to face social challenges that cause their condition to become more severe.
As a result of these barriers, they may struggle to get full access to their basic human rights or live life to the fullest.
Psychosocial disability therefore places the focus on tackling these barriers, rather than on “fixing” the individual as the typical medical model of disability would do.
Challenges Surrounding Psychosocial Disabilities
People with mental health issues may develop a psychosocial disability if they come into contact with challenges that interact negatively with their condition.
For instance, of the 1.1 million people with a psychosocial disability in Australia, around 24.1% have reported experiencing some form of discrimination. This is an obstacle that could dent their confidence or prevent their active participation in the community.
Caused by society’s failure to understand the unique challenges that every person with a disability faces, other common barriers that can trigger psychosocial disability include:
- Crowded public transport links
- Little understanding from family members or employers
- Limited access to care
- Lack of appropriate accommodation or private space
What Are the Effects of Having a Psychosocial Disability?
People with psychosocial disabilities may find it difficult to interact and communicate in the same way as others during social activities, which could result in them becoming isolated and experiencing loneliness.
In fact, those with disabilities aged 15 to 64 are twice as likely to experience social isolation as those without.
People with psychosocial disability may also struggle to cope with stressful situations that involve time management, meeting deadlines, juggling multiple tasks at once, and processing constructive feedback.
Psychosocial disabilities might therefore cause individuals to struggle with engaging in education or training that can open doors to future employment, higher wages, and more independent living opportunities.
When left untreated, these effects can worsen the symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How Can Psychosocial Disability Be Treated?
If you have a psychosocial disability, effective treatment should involve a two-part approach.
Firstly, you should receive regular clinical treatment from mental health services, which could include anything from inpatient to community care services.
This will be directed by specialist doctors, psychiatrists, and government mental health departments, who will provide you with a diagnosis and the correct medication, whilst also helping with medical mental health recovery.
The second part of your treatment should come from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which offers funding for various disability supports and services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Rather than providing clinical treatment, an NDIS plan aids your functional ability and long-term recovery, with a focus on helping you overcome the barriers presented by society.
The funding should cover psychosocial disability support services that assist you in building new skills, regaining confidence, and participating in society. For example, this may include helping you to:
- Find somewhere to live
- Complete daily living activities like cooking and cleaning
- Socialise with others and develop relationships
- Take part in local community events
- Gain employment
- Find study opportunities
- Manage your money
The long-term aim is to increase your independence, allowing you to live life to the fullest with minimal impact from social and economic obstacles.
Choosing the Right Disability Support Services
Treatments for psychosocial disabilities shouldn’t solely be focused on “fixing” an individual’s condition.
Instead, they should try to find ways to help tackle the barriers that people face each day, hence reducing the impact of psychosocial disability for those with any mental health issue, from anxiety disorders to post-traumatic stress disorder.
That’s where support services come in, which can make managing your disability or mental health condition much easier.
When it comes to selecting the best provider, the first thing that you should look for is National Disability Insurance Scheme approval. This indicates that they meet industry standards for quality care, and strive to enhance your skills, well-being, and independence.
You should also choose a provider that truly listens to your individual needs, and then creates a care plan with specific actions designed to help your mental health issue. For instance, they may assign a mentor to help you make better, more informed choices regarding employment or budgeting.
How We Help People with a Psychosocial Disability
Here at Gracious Australia, we believe that no one should be held back by a mental health condition. Our disability support services take a person-first approach, putting you or your loved one at the centre of every decision made regarding your care.
Our friendly and compassionate team is here to listen to your unique needs and provide support in all of these areas. Whether you require assistance with travelling to and from appointments, in-house support, or daily companionship, our goal is to help you live as happily and independently as possible.
We can also help in areas that you may struggle with due to psychosocial disability, such as participating in community events, attending clubs or classes, and making new friends.
If you or your loved one are looking for a quality, National Disability Insurance Scheme- approved support service that makes your care and comfort its highest priority, contact us today.
