Advice to governments on evidence-informed and good practice psychosocial services

Mental Health Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum have developed advice to governments on evidence-informed and good practice psychosocial services. This paper outlines a diverse cross-section of psychosocial services shown to be effective and valued by people with lived experience of mental ill-health, family, carers and supporters.  The advice in this paper also shows the principles which should underpin the design of any future psychosocial services. 

Mental Health Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum call on governments to: 

1. be informed by the evidence and principles outlined in this advice when designing and commissioning psychosocial services outside the NDIS 

2. undertake genuine and thorough consultation on any new psychosocial service arrangements with people with lived experience of mental ill-health, family, carers and supporters, service providers, key academics and other key stakeholders.  

Why now? 

This advice is intended to inform policy deliberations on the design and commissioning of psychosocial support outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  

Governments are currently analysing the unmet need for psychosocial support outside the NDIS, with this work due to be completed by March 2024 under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. In addition, on Wednesday 6 December 2023 National Cabinet agreed to jointly design and commission additional Foundational Supports outside the NDIS, which the NDIS Review indicated should include psychosocial services. The Minister for Social Services and the Minister for the NDIS subsequently announced consultation on the design of a Foundational Supports Strategy.  

This advice to governments can inform the design of psychosocial supports outside the NDIS.

How was this advice developed? 

This advice has been developed through a literature scan of psychosocial services evidence and conversations with key researchers, including lived experience researchers. The advice on psychosocial services was then tested through online consultations with over 100 representatives, including people with lived experience of mental ill-health, family, carers and supporters, Mental Health Australia members, service providers, researchers and other key stakeholders. Over 200 lived experience and family, carer and supporter representatives also provided specific input to this advice through online surveys.