NDIS a `disaster’ for mental health, Geelong service provider says
HE NDIS is an unmitigated “disaster” for people with mental illness and governments will have blood on their hands if they roll out the current model nationally next year, according to a Geelong pilot provider.
Pathways chief executive Alyson Miller said her organisation — which supports 366 Geelong people with mental illness and employs 144 staff — was haemorrhaging money in the NDIS trial and could be forced to close by Christmas.
Pathways clients and staff have been briefed about the possible closure.
Ms Miller predicted other specialist mental health services across the country would find themselves in the same position.
Pathways was losing $1 million every six months as it tried to support clients through the scheme, she said.
“My strong view is that the NDIS has underestimated the complexity of people with mental health issues,” Ms Miller said.