Kristin Gillespie grapples with days so incapacitating that even basic tasks like preparing a meal or venturing outside become insurmountable challenges. For her, living with psychosocial disability manifests as navigating through life while submerged in an “Olympic-sized swimming pool full of mud.”
At 60 years old, Ms. Gillespie carries a myriad of mental health diagnoses, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Her journey with mental health began at the tender age of 16, coinciding with her first “acutely suicidal episode,” marking the onset of a lifelong interaction with mental health specialists.
Driven by a desire to contribute to her community, Ms. Gillespie pursued employment in retail and administration, even venturing into entrepreneurship with ventures in clothing and book sales. However, the sobering reality of her condition dawned upon her over time, as the prospect of maintaining employment grew increasingly daunting.
Fortunate to be a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Ms. Gillespie receives vital support, including art therapy and assistance with household chores and transportation. Yet, she acknowledges that not all individuals with psychosocial disabilities enjoy the same level of support.
Psychosocial disability, as distinct from a mental health condition, encompasses disability arising from mental health issues, extending beyond mere diagnosis to encompass how these conditions intersect with an individual’s social environment, impairing their functionality.
Jordan Frith of the National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum, himself living with psychosocial disability, elucidates that such disabilities entail a disabling, often enduring experience of mental health challenges, hindering participation in community and economic activities, and impeding daily functioning.
The fluctuating nature of psychosocial disabilities renders them elusive and diverse in their effects, complicating their comprehension. Moreover, their invisibility and intricacies contribute to widespread misconceptions and stigma, exacerbated by associations with taboo subjects like substance use and suicidal experiences.
In light of planned changes to the NDIS, advocates express concerns about the impending impact on the psychosocial disability community, highlighting the imperative of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of individuals grappling with these complex conditions.
