Living with a dual diagnosis can bring unique challenges. Navigating day-to-day life, maintaining routines, and accessing the right services is a lot to handle. But never impossible. With the right supports in place, people with dual diagnoses lead fulfilling, independent lives on their own terms.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what dual diagnosis means, how the NDIS can help, and how to access the right supports for yourself or someone you care about.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to both a mental health condition and a diagnosed disability. This might include:
- Autism and anxiety
- Intellectual disability and schizophrenia
- Physical disability and PTSD
- ADHD and depression
These conditions can impact each other making it harder to engage in everyday activities, build relationships, or access the services needed for health and wellbeing. That’s why getting the right support is essential.
Does the NDIS Cover Dual Diagnosis?
If one of the diagnoses is a permanent and significant disability that affects a person’s ability to take part in everyday life, then they may be eligible for NDIS support. The NDIS can provide funding to access a range of support services. For people living with a dual diagnosis, this could include:
- Support coordination to manage services
- Therapeutic supports like psychology, behaviour support, or OT
- Capacity-building programs (e.g., emotional regulation, social skills)
- In-home and community access support
- Specialist housing or Supported Independent Living (SIL)
How to Access Support if You Have a Dual Diagnosis
1. Check Your NDIS Eligibility
If you don’t already have an NDIS, start by checking your eligibility. To meet the eligibility criteria you must demonstrate:
- A permanent and significant disability (which may include psychosocial disability)
- That your disability impacts your ability to complete everyday tasks
- That supports will help you pursue goals and improve your quality of life
Need help determining your eligibility? Reach out to our team, Achora can guide you through the application process.
2. Apply for the NDIS (or Review Your Plan)
If you need to access support for your disabilities, you can apply directly to the NDIS. If you already have a plan and think your dual diagnosis hasn’t been addressed, or you aren’t receiving support for both diagnosis, you can request a plan review or change of circumstances.
Include any updated assessments or supporting letters from professionals, such as:
- GP or psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Occupational therapist
- Allied health professionals
3. Get the Right Team Around You
Living with a dual diagnosis means your support needs may span different areas, from mental health, emotional wellbeing, to daily tasks, and life planning.
Having the right team makes a huge difference. Consider engaging:
- A Plan Manager to take care of invoices and budgeting and ensure your receiving the right services
- A Support Coordinator to help you understand your plan and connect with the services that fit your life and your goals
- Specialist providers with experience in mental health and disability
Achora can help connect you with people and services who have experiencing caring for individuals with dual diagnosis and the relevant training and qualifications.
4. Build Your Supports Around Your Goals
NDIS plans should be built around your goals. Whether it’s getting a job, living independently, or improving your mental wellbeing, the supports you receive should help you work towards that.
Some goals we often set for our participants living with dual diagnosis include:
- Developing daily living and coping skills
- Managing behaviours of concern
- Building social connections and friendships
- Transitioning to supported or independent housing
- Finding and keeping a job
Examples of Dual Diagnosis Supports
For someone with autism and anxiety:
- Social skills training
- Behavioural support
- Occupational therapy
- Community access with a support worker
- Support coordination to manage multiple services
For someone with an intellectual disability and schizophrenia:
- In-home support for daily tasks
- Psychosocial recovery coaching
- Therapeutic support from a psychologist
- Medication management
- SIL or supported housing
Why the Right Supports Matter for Dual Diagnosis
When you’re living with more than one condition, the challenges can feel complex, that;s why the right support is needed. To make life more manageable, more meaningful, and more empowered.
How Achora Can Help
At Achora, we’re experts in helping people with complex needs navigate the NDIS. We take the time to understand the full picture of your dual diagnosis, so we can match you with providers, services, and supports that align with your life and will actually lead to the outcomes you desire.
Whether you’re:
- Applying for the first time
- Seeking a plan review
- Looking for better-suited providers
- Feeling overwhelmed by the admin
We’re here to simplify the process, advocate for your needs, and support your journey, your way.
Ready to Get Started?
If you or someone you care about is living with a dual diagnosis, don’t wait to get the support you deserve.
📞 Call us today on 1800 780 108
📩 Send a referral form online here
💬 Chat with our friendly team
