Supporting a Family Member With Psychosocial Disability
If someone you care about has a psychosocial disability, a recovery coach can work with them and, if they agree, with you. The NDIS describes recovery coaches working with participants, families, carers and other services to plan and coordinate supports. You can help them look into the NDIS, find a coach, and keep the people around them connected, while the decisions stay theirs.
How Can a Recovery Coach Work With Families?
With the participant's agreement, a coach can get to know the people important to them and include them in planning.
The NDIA says a recovery coach spends time with the participant and people important to them, to get to know them and understand their needs. Its pricing arrangements describe coaches working collaboratively with participants, families, carers and other services to identify, plan, design and coordinate supports.
What you're told, and how involved you are, is up to the person you support. Recovery coaching is built around their choice and control.
How Can You Help Someone Get a Recovery Coach?
Help with the NDIS application or planning meeting, and help them talk to a few providers.
- If they're not on the NDIS yet, help gather evidence from their treating professionals. Our guide to the evidence of psychosocial disability form explains what's needed
- Before a planning meeting, help them think about what they'd want a recovery coach to help with
- Go with them to meet two or more providers, if they'd like you there
- Help them check the provider and agree the service agreement
- If you're making the enquiry for them, make sure they know and agree first
Looking for a Recovery Coach?
We'll connect you with a registered provider of psychosocial recovery coaching, in person or online.
What If They're Unwell or in Crisis?
A recovery coach isn't a crisis service. Call 000 if life is in danger, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Lifeline answers 13 11 14 around the clock, and you can text 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue's counsellors are on 1300 22 4636, 24/7. 13YARN, on 13 92 76, offers 24/7 crisis support with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters. Lifeline and 13YARN both say they support people who are worried about someone else, as well as people in crisis themselves.
Where Can Carers Get Support?
Outside the NDIS. The Disability Gateway lists family and carer support and mental health services.
The NDIA points to the Disability Gateway, an Australian Government website, for family and carer support, health and wellbeing, and other services. NDIS partners can also help with community connections. Supporting someone else is easier when you have support too.
Questions People Ask
Can I find a recovery coach for my son or daughter?
Yes. You can enquire on their behalf, as long as they know and agree. Choose 'my son or daughter' on our form.
Will the recovery coach tell me what's going on?
Only what the person you support agrees to share. Talk about it together with the coach early on.
Can I call Lifeline about someone else?
Yes. Lifeline has support for people who are worried about someone, and 13YARN welcomes calls from people worried about someone they know.
Keep Reading
- What is a recovery coach?A psychosocial recovery coach is an NDIS-funded worker with mental health knowledge who helps you plan, build skills and coordinate supports.
- What is psychosocial disability?What psychosocial disability means, how it differs from a mental health diagnosis, examples of how it can affect daily life, and how the NDIS describes it.
- Choosing a recovery coachHow to choose a psychosocial recovery coach: the NDIA's five questions, lived experience, qualifications, registration, and what to agree before you start.
- Evidence of psychosocial disability formThe NDIS evidence of psychosocial disability form explained: who can fill it in, what it must cover, functional assessments, and what happens after you apply.
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