R U OK? Day is held on Thursday, 10 September 2026, encouraging people to start meaningful conversations and stay connected throughout the year. For people with disability, maintaining social connection can also depend on practical support to access the community, manage daily routines and participate in activities. NDIS supports can help eligible participants address disability-related barriers, build everyday skills and take part in their communities according to their goals and approved plans. This guide explains how different NDIS supports can help participants maintain meaningful connections, develop independence and participate more fully in everyday life in Victoria.
What Is R U OK? Day and Why Does Connection Matter?
R U OK? Day is an Australian national day of action focused on suicide prevention and encouraging meaningful conversations about wellbeing. In 2026, the national day falls on Thursday, 10 September. The campaign encourages people to continue these conversations throughout the year rather than treating connection as a once-a-year activity.
R U OK? recommends four practical steps for starting and continuing a conversation:
- Ask – Start a genuine conversation and ask how the person is going.
- Listen – Give them time to talk and listen without judgement.
- Encourage action – Support them to consider an appropriate next step if needed.
- Check in – Follow up later and continue the connection.
R U OK? is not a counselling or crisis service. The organisation specifically states that it does not provide crisis intervention or expert counselling. The value of connection also extends beyond conversations. For people with disability, being able to access familiar places, maintain relationships and participate in meaningful activities can require practical disability support.
How Can NDIS Supports Help Participants Stay Connected and Well?
People with disability can face greater barriers to social connection. The AIHW’s June 2026 People with disability in Australia report found that, in 2021, 19% of people with disability aged 15–64 experienced social isolation, compared with 9.5% of people without disability. NDIS supports may help reduce disability-related barriers by building independence, supporting daily routines and enabling greater participation in community life. In the 12 months from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, Core Social and Community Participation accounted for approximately $11.9 billion, or 23.7% of total NDIS payments.
Social and Community Participation
NDIS funding may support participants who need disability-related assistance to take part in social, recreational and community activities.
- Community access: A support worker may assist a participant to attend community groups, local events, recreational activities or pursue personal interests.
- Social connection: Regular participation can create opportunities to meet people, maintain friendships and strengthen community relationships.
- Group activities: Depending on the participant’s goals and plan, support may help them take part in suitable group-based social or community activities.
- Participation support: The NDIS generally funds the additional disability-related assistance needed to participate, rather than ordinary costs such as standard entry, membership or activity fees.
Life Skills and Daily Living Support
Developing practical everyday skills can help participants manage daily routines with greater independence and make it easier to participate in life at home and in the community.
- Household skills: Support may help participants build skills in cooking, cleaning, shopping and completing everyday household tasks.
- Money management: Participants may develop skills related to budgeting, shopping decisions and managing everyday expenses.
- Daily planning: Support can help participants establish routines, organise activities and make everyday decisions.
- Greater independence: Building practical skills can help participants take more control over daily life and work towards broader personal and community participation goals.
Support Coordination
Support coordination can help participants understand their NDIS plan and organise the mix of supports they need.
- Understanding the plan: Support coordinators can help participants understand their funding and how available supports may be used.
- Finding providers: They can assist participants to identify and connect with suitable NDIS providers.
- Connecting with other services: Support coordination may help participants connect with community, mainstream and other government services alongside their NDIS supports.
- Building capacity: The role also aims to build participants’ confidence and skills to manage their supports more independently over time.
Supported Independent Living and Everyday Connection
Supported Independent Living (SIL) may be available for participants with higher support needs who require assistance or supervision with everyday activities at home.
- Daily routines: Support workers may assist with personal care, household tasks and other regular activities.
- Skill development: SIL can provide opportunities to build practical skills and become more independent in everyday life.
- Ongoing support: Consistent assistance can help participants maintain routines and work towards personal goals.
- Community connection: SIL can help participants build routines and everyday living skills at home. If a participant also needs disability-related assistance to access community activities, this may be funded through other NDIS supports included in their plan.
Supported Independent Living is funding for support workers who assist people with higher support needs with everyday activities at home. It does not pay for rent, groceries or the home itself.
What Mental Health Support Does the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS may support eligible people with psychosocial disability attributable to a permanent impairment that substantially affects their ability to carry out everyday activities. Eligibility is based on the functional impact of the impairment and other NDIS access requirements, rather than diagnosis alone.
NDIS-Funded Disability Supports
Depending on individual needs and approved funding, relevant supports include:
- Psychosocial recovery coaching: Recovery coaches support people with psychosocial disability to build capacity and resilience, organise supports, strengthen decision-making and connect with community and mainstream services.
- Capacity-building therapeutic supports: The NDIS may fund psychology and other therapy supports when they are disability-related and intended to build or maintain functional capacity.
- Functional capacity support: Eligible supports may help participants develop everyday skills, manage daily activities and increase social or economic participation.
Clinical Mental Health Care Is Provided Through the Health System
Medicare and state or territory health systems remain responsible for clinical mental health treatment. The NDIS does not replace these services.
Clinical services generally include:
- Diagnosis and psychiatric treatment: Assessments, diagnosis and treatment by psychiatrists or other clinical mental health professionals are generally provided through the health system.
- Medication and hospital care: Prescription medication, inpatient psychiatric care and other medical treatment are not NDIS supports.
- Clinical psychological treatment: Ongoing counselling or psychological treatment aimed at treating a mental health condition generally sits with Medicare or other health services. NDIS-funded psychology may be considered when its purpose is non-clinical capacity building and it meets NDIS funding criteria.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14.
How Holistic Futures Supports Connection and Independence in Victoria
Holistic Futures provides personalised NDIS disability support across Melbourne and Victoria. The team works with participants to understand their goals, routines, preferences and disability-related support needs, then provides assistance that fits into everyday life.
For participants working towards greater connection, participation and independence, relevant services include:
Social and Community Participation
Social and Community Participation helps participants access community activities and take part in activities that match their interests and goals.
Support can include:
- Attending community activities
- Accessing appointments
- Pursuing hobbies and interests
- Joining social activities
- Building confidence in community settings
The level of support depends on the participant’s needs and the activities they want to access.
Life Skills and Home Support
Life Skills and Home Support assists participants with practical activities at home and helps them develop skills for everyday living.
Support can include:
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Shopping
- Budgeting
- Cleaning and household tasks
- Personal care
- Daily routines
Support workers can assist with tasks while encouraging participants to take part in activities and develop greater independence where appropriate.
Support Coordination
Support Coordination helps eligible participants understand their NDIS plans, connect with providers and coordinate approved supports.
Support coordination can assist with:
- Understanding NDIS funding
- Finding suitable providers
- Coordinating different services
- Making decisions about supports
- Connecting with community and mainstream services
The support provided depends on the participant’s plan, goals and individual circumstances.
Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living assists eligible participants who need ongoing support with everyday activities at home.
Support can include:
- Personal care
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Household routines
- Daily activities
- Skill development
- Overnight support where approved
SIL focuses on the support provided to the participant rather than the property itself. Participants may also receive other NDIS supports depending on their individual needs and approved funding.
The appropriate service depends on the participant’s goals, disability-related needs, approved NDIS funding and preferred support arrangements. Service availability, locations and worker availability should be confirmed with Holistic Futures before starting support.
If you are looking for NDIS support with community participation, daily living or greater independence, contact Holistic Futures to discuss your support needs and available services across Victoria.
FAQs About NDIS Support and Staying Connected
Can an NDIS support worker go with me to a community group?
Yes. An NDIS support worker can assist an eligible participant to attend a community group when the support relates to their disability-related needs and approved plan. The worker may assist with getting ready, travelling to the venue, navigating the activity and returning home. The participant generally pays ordinary activity costs such as entry fees, registration or membership fees, food and standard equipment. NDIS funding may instead cover disability-related assistance needed to access or participate in the activity, where that support meets the NDIS funding criteria and is available in the participant’s plan.
Can I use NDIS funding for transport to see friends or attend activities?
NDIS transport funding depends on the participant’s plan and circumstances. Where transport funding is approved, it can support eligible participants who cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty because of their disability. Participants should check the transport funding recorded in their plan before using NDIS funds for travel.
Can NDIS support help me join a hobby or sports activity?
It can, where the participant needs disability-related assistance to access or participate in the activity and the support meets NDIS funding requirements. For example, a participant may receive support to travel to an activity, navigate the venue or participate safely. NDIS funding does not generally cover ordinary participation costs that people without disability would also pay.
Can I get NDIS support if I have a psychosocial disability but already see a psychologist?
Yes. Receiving clinical mental health treatment does not automatically prevent someone from receiving NDIS support. The NDIS and health system fund different types of support: clinical services treat mental health conditions, while NDIS supports address the functional impact of a permanent psychosocial disability on areas such as daily living, independence and community participation.
Can an NDIS support worker help me build friendships?
An NDIS support worker does not provide friendship or counselling. They can provide disability-related assistance that helps an eligible participant access social settings, attend activities, practise communication or maintain routines that support community participation, where these supports are included in the participant’s plan.
What can I do if someone says they are not OK?
Listen to what they say and give them time to talk without trying to diagnose or solve the problem. R U OK? recommends asking, listening, encouraging appropriate action and checking in again. If the person needs professional mental health care, help them connect with an appropriate health or mental health service rather than treating an NDIS support as a substitute for clinical care.
Can Holistic Futures help me find the right NDIS support?
Holistic Futures can discuss available disability support services with participants, families and support coordinators and explain how its services may fit different support needs. Current service availability, locations, worker availability and funding arrangements should be confirmed before starting support.
