People with many supports
![Document](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worksheet%20.png?itok=NPPkN65Y)
This information is about the mental health of people with many support needs.
It has information on
![A woman in a wheelchair with a speech bubble saying I need. Behind her is a wheel chair ramp, Easy Read document and a timer.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Reasonable%20Adjustments%20%281%29.png?itok=Kwv9iVy4)
- Key points for people with many supports
![Worried person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worry.png?itok=M9OMq-lN)
- Worries you might have when getting help for your mental health and what you can do
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
- Services and supports
![A woman in a wheelchair with a speech bubble saying I need. Behind her is a wheel chair ramp, Easy Read document and a timer.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Reasonable%20Adjustments%20%281%29.png?itok=Kwv9iVy4)
People with intellectual disability can have many support needs.
Support needs means you need support with different things in your life.
Support needs are sometimes called complex needs.
![List of needs](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Needs.png?itok=-j6uVP8K)
You might need a lot of support with
- Your disability
- Health issues you have
- Your mental health
![A woman with two thought bubbles floating above her head.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Think%20twice2.png?itok=MNyayVoK)
It can be hard to find support when you have many support needs.
![Centre is open](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Open%202.png?itok=w3YKb9Qb)
You might need to get support from different services.
![People waiting](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Timer%20people%202.png?itok=EmFvXD3N)
You might have to wait until you get support from the services.
![On time](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/time.png?itok=Jf0vzMTb)
You might have to wait a long time to get all the help you need.
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
You can get many services and supports through the NDIS.
![ndis logo](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/ndis.png?itok=bD6uc8PR)
NDIS is short for National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Your NDIS plan says what supports you need.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/money.jpg?itok=VahtVILo)
Sometimes you need to use services that cost a lot of money.
For some services the NDIS pays.
For some services you need to pay yourself.
![A group of six people. All are smiling. In the front on the left is a man in suit with his left hand raised in a wave. Behind him is two women. The older woman is hugging the younger woman from behind. Next to them on the right is a man and young man, with their arms around each others shoulders. IN front of them is a woman in suit holding a black folder in her hands in front of her body.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Group%2023.png?itok=_wv2XYqi)
People with many support needs often need to see different health and disability workers.
![Working together](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/multidisciplinary.png?itok=AeQOJ2yv)
It is good if all these people work together.
This will help you get the best support for your needs.
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about how they can work together go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
working-your-team/ER
![Confused person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/confused.png?itok=xd1daCfM)
Some health workers you go to might not have worked with people with intellectual disability before.
![Person looking upset while talking to a health worker on the phone](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/ignorned%20by%20doctor%20.png?itok=6uqWNDwr)
They might not know how to support you.
![Not listening to someone who is talking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Ignored.png?itok=UjPvf__n)
Sometimes this happens because the health worker
- Does not know the person well
![Communication aid](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%20Aid%201.png?itok=Moy6Nwc-)
- Might not know how you tell others what you think
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about accessing using different services and supports you might need go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/i-am-person-ID/services-mental-health
![Worried person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worry.png?itok=M9OMq-lN)
Below are some worries you might have when you try to get support for your mental health.
![Idea](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Idea.png?itok=jlTl0xe5)
We have some ideas for what you can do.
![Confused person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/confused.png?itok=xd1daCfM)
You might worry that health workers think your mental health problems are because of your intellectual disability
![Supporting person with mental illness](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/mental%20illness%20support.png?itok=mkRCDZzw)
This is what you can do.
A mental health problem is when your feelings start to worry you
![Two people communicating with each other](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Talk%20and%20listen.png?itok=FCsBaHm3)
You should let the health worker know that you feel different to how you used to feel.
![Two people sharing information](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/share%20information%20.png?itok=VKHIpvE1)
You can ask your doctor or someone you trust to share information about your health.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
There are many people you might trust.
For more information about who you might trust go to
![Two people talking about a file](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Home%20inspection%2012.png?itok=vXEVUN_2)
You might use a folder to share your information.
![The image is crossed. Under the cross a person holding and pointing to a piece of paper. They are talking to another person and handing the paper to them.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/share%20crossed.png?itok=yXWARCC8)
You do not have to share all information about your health.
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/purpose.png?itok=_IzzVeLx)
Only share what you feel comfortable with.
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/gp-friendly-medium.png?itok=hehvb6wn)
Sharing your information can help health workers to understand what is going on with you.
For more information on types of information you can share go to https://idmhconnect.health/assessment/ER
![Speaking up](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Advocate%20Independent_0.png?itok=PKbgzbRT)
If you are worried you can also advocate for yourself.
Someone you trust can advocate for you too.
![Advocate talking to two people](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/advocate%20.png?itok=50JnaZfv)
To advocate are things you or someone else can do so your rights and needs are met.
Rights are rules about how everybody should be treated fairly.
A right is something everyone has.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
There are many people you might trust.
For more information about who you might trust go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
someone-trust
![Three people pictured. One person is on a computer behind a grey screen. On the other side of the screen are the other two people. One of these people is sitting in a wheel chair and the other is standing up slightly facing the person in the wheelchair.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Covid%20Screen%201.png?itok=vppAK_gm)
Someone you trust can come with you when you see a health worker about your mental health.
They can tell the health worker that you are different to normal.
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about how you can advocate for yourself or find an advocate go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/about-advocacy/ER
![Person confused](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Confused.png?itok=CPZyT0J2)
You might not know how to communicate to health workers about what is wrong
This is what you can do.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201_0.png?itok=Km_5tLKD)
To communicate is how you understand and share your feelings or information.
You can let the health workers know how you tell other people what you think.
![Communication aid](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%20Aid%201.png?itok=Moy6Nwc-)
You might
- Talk to them
- Point at things
- Write down what you want to say
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
You or someone you trust should also tell your health workers how they best communicate to you.
![Folders](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/folder.png?itok=K_o3fsov)
You can have a folder with all your health and mental health information.
You can bring this folder when you meet your health workers.
![Health worker giving information](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Give%20information.png?itok=e5-rIB0m)
Health workers can look at your folder to learn more about you.
![Person reading](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Read2.png?itok=XAPiOUJ5)
Below are some health folders you can use or make your own.
![Person using a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Computer%202%20%281%29.png?itok=Yqip15o2)
- My Health Matters folder from the Council for Intellectual Disability https://cid.org.au/resource/my-health-matters-folder/
- A2D Together Folder http://a2d.healthcare/
- Mental health passport https://idmhconnect.health/my-mental-health-passport
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/gp-friendly-medium.png?itok=hehvb6wn)
You might not know what is wrong with you.
You can ask your doctor to do a big health check.
![Working together](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/multidisciplinary.png?itok=AeQOJ2yv)
You can also ask the health worker to talk to your doctor or other health workers you see.
They can work together to find out what support you need.
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information on how your health workers can work together go to
![Confused person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/confused.png?itok=xd1daCfM)
Your health worker does not know how to help or how to work with you
This is what you can do.
![Doctor on the phone](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/doctor.png?itok=NAosUrhM)
You can ask your health worker to get advice from a specialist service.
![Health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Reception%201.png?itok=eZn018jW)
Specialists are people who know a lot about intellectual disability.
![Supporting person with mental illness](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/mental%20illness%20support.png?itok=mkRCDZzw)
Specialist services can work together with your health worker to find out
- What is wrong with you
- How to help you
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about Specialist services go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
mental-health-services-services/ER
![No support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Support%20crossed.png?itok=MKjaH6vL)
You might not get the supports you need because the NDIS is hard to understand
This is what you can do.
![Care co-ordinator](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Care%20Coordinator.png?itok=yZ-39nmN)
You can ask someone you trust to help you get a specialist support coordinator.
A specialist support coordinator is someone who helps people with complex needs get the right supports.
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
You can discuss this with your doctor or health worker.
They might be able to talk to the NDIS for you.
![Speaking up](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Advocate%20Independent_0.png?itok=PKbgzbRT)
You can also advocate for yourself or ask someone you trust to advocate for you.
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about advocacy go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
about-advocacy/ER
![A person complaining to someone else](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/complaint%20.png?itok=-sBE4_x3)
You can make a complaint if you are not happy with the NDIS.
A complaint is when you tell someone you are not happy with something
![ndis logo](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/ndis.png?itok=bD6uc8PR)
You can make a complaint with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
Below is a list of services and supports to support people with many supports.
![Health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Reception%201.png?itok=eZn018jW)
Specialist Intellectual Disability Health Teams know how to work with people with intellectual disability.
They can work with your doctor or health workers to help support you
![Doctor on the phone](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/doctor.png?itok=NAosUrhM)
The Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Hubs know how to work with people with intellectual disability.
They can work with your doctor to help support you.
![Two people sharing information](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/share%20information%20.png?itok=VKHIpvE1)
You can let your doctor know about the Hubs.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
For more information about the Hubs go to https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
mentalhealth/Pages/intellectual-disability-mental-health-hubs.aspx
![Health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Reception%201.png?itok=eZn018jW)
The Complex Care Service can work to support your health problems.
For more information go to https://cds.org.au/clinical-services/our-clinical-services/complex-care-service/
![Person reading](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Read2.png?itok=XAPiOUJ5)
The Admission2Discharge Together Folder can keep together your health information.
For more information about the folder go to http://a2d.healthcare/
![Council for Intellectual Disability logo](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/CID.png?itok=at92TGc3)
The Council for Intellectual Disability has a My Health Matters folder.
For more information about the folder go to https://cid.org.au/resource/my-health-matters-folder/
![Screen capture of the Wordlist on the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect website.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Wordlist.png?itok=nAL2D_c3)
There are some tricky words on this Easy Read page.
For more information about these words go to