Andre - Understanding all that the NDIS makes possible is life changing

I understand, from my own lived experience of anxiety, how daunting some processes can seem to someone experiencing mental health issues. This fuels my passion for opening the eyes of health professionals to the many doors of opportunity that NDIS funding can open, for the people we all strive to support.

As Program Manager of Flourish Australia’s NDIS Mental Health Officer Program, I work in conjunction with 18 mental health districts, to support health staff and clinicians to better understand how the NDIS can benefit the people we are all working to support. Following great success with pilot programs in Southwest Sydney and Nepean local health districts, I now oversee roll-out NSW-wide.

The NDIS can be really powerful when approached correctly and we strive to inform health professionals so that they can better support people to understand what it can provide, and the choices available to them. It’s rewarding to know I’m supporting people in making a life changing difference.

I was 29 when I realised my calling was to help others. I walked away from a thriving career, moved home with my mother and took a bar job so I could prioritise attaining my Masters in Social Work. And I’ve never looked back!

Flourish Australia know that an important part of building resilience is allowing space for a person to feel heard and understood. We are sensitive to the stress a person may experience if they feel rushed at any point in the NDIS process, or pressured to accept support they don’t feel they need or want. In line with our person-led approach to support, we teach the importance of actively listening to what a person wants and providing assurance that an NDIS plan will compliment, rather than overtake, any services the person has in place that they are satisfied with.

When a person feels heard and supported they are often surprised to discover the depths of their own reserves, and grow more resilient as a result.

We want to ensure that people have access to the best possible support for their individual needs. Supporting mental wellbeing is vital as the rise of living and working in isolation leaves us all more time to be alone with our thoughts, and potentially negative self-talk. I know first-hand the toll that can take on mental health.