'There is no compassion': mental health cost of NDIS funding cuts laid bare
NDIS recipient Billiejo Gabriel shares how her funding cut has impacted her mental health. Picture by Bernard HumphreysBilliejo Gabriel was "distressed" when told she would no longer receive the same amount. . .
NDIS recipient Billiejo Gabriel shares how her funding cut has impacted her mental health. Picture by Bernard HumphreysBilliejo Gabriel was "distressed" when told she would no longer receive the same amount of support for her disability. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingEOFY SAVE 50%All articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll otherin your areaAs the federal government aims to claw back savings, more than 160,000 people are expected to be removed from the National Disability Insurance Scheme by 2030. The Wagga woman has beenreceiving fundsfor the last seven years, which she said had greatly helped her mental health. Ms Gabriel said she was supported by the NDIS for her bipolar diagnosis, but has recently had her funds cut, which had taken a toll. "The NDIS has helped me stay out of hospital because it helped me build my capacity to stay well and maintain my health and mental health," she said. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler recently announced a host of changes to NDIS funding, including a drop in the taxpayers' contribution from $70 billion to $55 billion by 2030. "Australians expect the NDIS to support people in their families and to continue to transform their lives like we've seen happen in the last 13 years, not for it to be an ATM," Mr Butler said. Ms Gabriel said she was stressed when she found out her funds were cut and said others who were yet to be affected were nervously waiting. "I was very distressed because there is no compassion. They have already decided what your funding is, they won't change it even when talking to you," Ms Gabriel said. "I know quite a few people [on the NDIS] and they stress a lot about it, some of them haven't had anything cut yet because they haven't had a review . . . but it has impacted a lot of people's mental health. "Psychosocial recovery coach and support coordinator with NDIS provider Rise Together Support Services Toni Neilsen has helped Ms Gabriel through her mental health struggles. Psychosocial recovery coach Toni Neilsen and NDIS recipient Billiejo Gabriel were both disappointed to learn of the cuts. Picture by Bernard HumphreysMs Neilsen said the cuts would not only impact her clients, but because of a lack of resources in many health areas, they could affect other organisations. "I think it's going to put additional stress on housing, which is already under a lot of stress, [as well as the] public health system, mental health, emergency departments, justice," Ms Neilsen said. "Because of the funding cuts, people aren't monitored with their medications and given direction on how to navigate different systems to be able to support them appropriately. "The governmenthas not yet determined exactly who will be impacted and how much an individual's funds will be cut. Ms Neilsen said she supported 20 clients and the news of the funding cuts had raised concerns among them. "It's causing a lot of additional stress because it is unknown for them," she said. "They've heard everybody else's experience with funding cuts, so it has had a huge impact on their mental health. "As it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.