Psychosocial support
What are psychosocial supports?
Psychosocial supports are things that help people feel good emotionally and socially. They include services and activities that make people feel better when they're facing challenges or tough times. These can include talking to someone who can help, joining groups where people have similar experiences, and getting help with things like finding a job or a place to live. The goal of psychosocial supports is to help people have happier lives and feel stronger, both emotionally and socially.
Examples of psychosocial supports
- Counselling and therapy
- Support groups
- Respite care
- Community-based services
- Patient advocacy groups
- Disease-specific organisations
- Local community organisations
- Schools
- Faith-based organisations
- Peer support groups
- Online chat groups
- Accessible community spaces and sports
Remember, you don't have to do this alone. Psychosocial support can help you and your family cope and improve your quality of life.
Support websites and organisations
There are a number of organisations that can provide psychosocial support to your family. These organisations can help with a wide range of things, they can:
- Listen to you and give you advice for free.
- Connect you with the services you need in your local area.
- Help you with transport or finding somewhere to stay.
- Give you tips on managing your money.
- Take care of your own health, happiness and relationships.
- Help you to find balance in life as a carer or person with a disability.
- Connect you with other people who understand what you are going through.
- Provide up to date information and resources to support your situation.
Click below for more information on some of these support organisations.
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a website that can help people to find the things that they need quickly and anonymously. The site is free to use and locates services closest to you by postcode.
Areas that Ask Izzy covers include:
- Food
- Housing
- Everyday needs (e.g. clothes, showers)
- Money help
- Councelling
- Health
- Advice and advocacy
- Domestic and family violence help
- Work and learning support
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is a free service providing support to carers in Australia. They provide a range of services including:
- In-person and online peer support.
- Councelling and coaching.
- Tailored support packages for accessing respite, transport and more.
- Online courses.
- Practical tips and advice for living as a carer.
- Access to emergency respite.
For more information about the service, visit the website, or phone 1800 422 737.
Family Support Connect
The Family Support and Connect site can connect you with a local Family Connect and Support providers in NSW. The provider can then help to connect you with support services in your area, as well as provide practical advice and information to support your individual situation. For more information and to find a provider in your area, visit the website.
Rare Voices Australia A-Z Support Directory
Rare Voices Australia has an online directory of links to support groups for rare diseases. To access the list, click here: A-Z Support Directory – Rare Voices Australia
Disability Gateway
The Disability Gateway website has lots of information to help people with disability, their family, carers and friends to find and access a variety of supports. Topics covered by the site include:
- Health and wellbeing
- Everyday living
- Housing
- Transport
- Education
- Aids and equipment
- Leisure
- Income and finance
- Employment
- Rights and legal
Friendly Faces Helping Hands
Friendly Faces Helping Hands is a service that supports people that live in rural/remote areas when travelling to / staying at metropolitan hospitals. The service provides information on accommodation and transport options, as well as practical information for what to do when staying in hospital. Families can also search the site by hospital to find nearby options for accommodation, food, parking and more.
Raising Children Network
The Raising Children Network is a website filled with information about children, families and parenting. It has a specific set of resources and information aimed at families with children who have a disability. This can be accessed here: Raising children with disability.
The site covers topic including:
- Family life
- Mental and physical health
- NDIS
- Rights and laws
- Education, play and work
- Services and support
- Guide to disabilities
- Children with disability: videos
Kindred
Kindred is an online support organisation for families of children with a developmental delay, disability or medical needs. The site aims to empower parents and carers by building knowledge, confidence and sharing stories from real families. For peer support groups, resources and practical tips on topics such as advocacy, education, NDIS, family and wellbeing, visit the website.