If you or someone you love has been impacted by mental health challenges, you may have come across the term psychosocial disability. But what does it actually mean?
What Is Psychosocial Disability?
Psychosocial disability refers to the functional impact that mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, can have on a person’s daily life. Not everyone with a mental health diagnosis will experience disability, but for some, symptoms can significantly affect communication, social participation, employment, decision-making, and independence.
Australian research shows that people with psychosocial disability often experience fluctuating capacity, social exclusion, and barriers to accessing support, especially within formal service systems (Mellifont et al., 2023; Wilson et al., 2022). Recognising psychosocial disability helps ensure that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the way that works best for them.
How Is Psychosocial Disability Different From Other NDIS Disabilities?
Psychosocial disability is often non-visible, meaning the challenges aren’t always obvious to others. This can lead to misunderstanding or minimisation, particularly when compared to more visible physical or intellectual disabilities.
However, psychosocial disability is no less real or impactful. Many people require assistance with:
Building routines
Emotional regulation
Social interactions
Community participation
Navigating complex systems and services
The NDIS recognises psychosocial disability as a legitimate disability category, focusing on functional impact, not diagnosis alone. This aligns with the NDIS Psychosocial Disability Recovery-Oriented Framework, which emphasises personal recovery, choice, and flexibility (NDIA, 2021).
Breaking Down the Myths
Misconceptions about psychosocial disability remain common. Some people believe it is:
“Just a phase”
Something someone should “snap out of”
Only relevant during crisis or hospitalisation
A personal weakness
These assumptions are incorrect.
Australian studies consistently show that psychosocial disability is shaped by complex interactions between mental health conditions, environmental stressors, trauma, and social determinants, not character or willpower (Hamilton et al., 2020; Tew et al., 2011).
Importantly, recovery is not only possible, it is expected when people are provided with the right supports, autonomy, and connection.
How We Support You
At Your Way, Your Wellness, we provide gentle, person-centred psychosocial support grounded in lived experience and evidence-based practice.
This means we meet you where you’re at, whether it's:
Building confidence
Expanding community engagement
Developing routines
Working toward goals
Having someone to talk to who truly understands
Our focus is to walk beside you, not ahead. Your recovery journey is your own, and we’re here to support it every step of the way.
References (APA7)
Hamilton, D., Hancock, N., Scanlan, J. N., & Banfield, M. (2020). The National Disability Insurance Scheme and people with severe and persistent mental illness/psychosocial disability: A review and synthesis of published literature. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(12), 1162–1172. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867420967747
Mellifont, D., Hancock, N., Scanlan, J. N., & Hamilton, D. (2023). Barriers to applying to the NDIS for Australians with psychosocial disability: A scoping review. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 58(2), 262–278. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.245
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). (2021). Psychosocial Disability Recovery-Oriented Framework. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
Tew, J., Ramon, S., Slade, M., Bird, V., Melton, J., & Le Boutillier, C. (2011). Social factors and recovery from mental health difficulties: A review of the evidence. British Journal of Social Work, 42(3), 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcr076
Wilson, E., Campain, R., Pollock, S., Brophy, L., & Stratford, A. (2022). Exploring the personal, programmatic and market barriers to choice in the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 57(1), 164–184. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.154
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