Psychosocial supports

Psychosocial supports

South Eastern Melbourne PHN (SEMPHN) has commissioned new psychosocial support services in 2019 to assist people with severe mental illness. 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide support to people with psychosocial disability, but there are people with severe, episodic mental illness who may not be eligible for the NDIS.

These new psychosocial supports, to be funded by the Australian Government under the National Psychosocial Support (NPS) measure and Continuity of Support (CoS) service in 2019, are intended to address the needs of people who are not eligible for the NDIS and who may otherwise ‘fall through the gaps’.

What do we mean by ‘psychosocial support’?

Psychosocial support can assist people with severe mental illness to participate in their community, manage daily tasks, undertake work or study, find housing, get involved in activities, and make connections with family and friends. Psychosocial supports are specific to the person and their needs.

Who have we commissioned to deliver these services in South Eastern Melbourne? 

Ermha has won an open tender to deliver new Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) in partnership with Launch Housing across south eastern Melbourne. More about Ermha

PSS aims to address a current gap in services for some people who are unable to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and whose recovery would benefit from receiving a level of specialised psychosocial supports.

Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) is the term we're using to reflect the type of services ermha will deliver via two new programs:

How does this service work and who is eligible? 

1. The National Psychosocial Support (NPS) measure is for people with severe mental illness who:

• are not eligible for the NDIS
• are expected to benefit from the provision of psychosocial supports
• have not been clients of Partners in Recovery (PIR), Day to Day Living (D2DL) or the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) programs
• do not access state funded mental health community support services.

2. The Continuity of Support (CoS) service provides ongoing support for consumers who:

• accessed services under Partners in Recover (PIR), Support for Day to Day Living in the Community (D2DL) and Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs)
• as at 30 June 2019 are ineligible to receive services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

How can I refer? 

Contact our Access and Referral team on 1800 862 363 to speak to one of our staff members or fax 1300 354 053. Visit our Access and Referral page.