NDIS Mental Health Support Workers Melbourne

Q: Can I change support workers if it is not working?

Yes. Choice and control is a participant right under the NDIS, and fit matters more in this work than in most. Tell us and we will arrange someone else without it being awkward.

Q: What areas do you cover?

The north eastern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. If you are near the edge of that, call and ask rather than assuming.

Mental health support through your NDIS plan

If your NDIS plan includes funding for psychosocial disability supports, you can use it for regular support from someone who understands mental health.

Hearts of Gold Mental Health Support provides that across Melbourne's north-eastern and eastern suburbs. What makes us different is who does the work: our support workers have their own lived experience of mental health recovery and they are mentored by psychologists and social workers.

Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood showing multiple residential houses with varied roof colors, trees, cars parked in driveways, and intersecting streets casting long shadows. — We offer immediate capacity across Melbourne including Box Hill, Ringwood, Doncaster, Heidelberg, Eltham, and Greensborough. We prefer face-to-face connection, but can easily support you online if required by your NDIS plan.

What support looks like week to week

There is no standard version of this, because plans and people differ. In practice it usually includes some combination of:

Regular sessions at home or in the community
Building and holding daily routines
Getting to appointments and managing the admin around them
Re-entering social and community settings at a pace that works
Working towards the goals written into your plan
Practical help with the things that get hard when mental health is hard

The rhythm is set with you. Some people want several sessions a week. Some want one. Either is fine!

Who we support

We work with adults whose plans include psychosocial disability supports. Many of the people we support have complex needs, including alcohol and other drug use alongside mental health challenges.

We are not a clinical service and we do not provide therapy or treatment. We work alongside your existing treating team rather than replacing any part of it.

Why peer-led support

Simple. Because people prefer the warm approach of a support worker who treats them as a peer, not as somebody better than them. People respond better, trust builds more quickly and most importantly, people are allowed to be themselves and enjoy the process. Read more about how our peer support model works.

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Young man wearing a yellow high-visibility jacket and a blue and red cap stands in a forest, making a shaka hand gesture. — Our lived experience peer support worker: Joshua

Getting started

Call us or send an enquiry. We will talk through what you need and whether we are the right fit. If we are not, we will say so and point you somewhere better.

Frequently asked questions

Does the NDIS cover mental health support workers?

Yes, where psychosocial disability is recognised in your plan. Funding usually sits under Core Supports or Capacity Building depending on how your plan is written. Our page on how NDIS funding works explains the difference.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can contact us directly. Many participants come to us through a support coordinator, but you do not need one to get in touch.

Can I change support workers if it is not working?

Yes. Choice and control is a participant's right under the NDIS, and people fit matters more in this work than in most. Let us know and we will arrange someone else without it being awkward.

What areas do you cover?

The north-eastern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. If you are near the edge of that, call and ask! Each support worker is based in a different area, and many are happy to travel. We are happy to work with all your needs and requirements!

Hearts of Gold Traits

Our Lived Experience Workers

"A friend is somebody who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are."

Human

In an increasingly technological world, our support workers provide a down-to-earth human experience. A full human experience, in all its imperfections, vulnerability, joy and depth.

We meet you where you are at

Somebody that can meet you where you are at on any given day. It doesn't matter if it's a good day, or a bad day. We will be there regardless.

Champions agency

Somebody who can encourage your choice and control, despite what a support worker may think.

Authentic

Somebody who says what they mean, and means what they say. Somebody that is comfortable in their nature, and encourages you to be yourself.

Empathetic

Somebody who can relate to and understand what you might be feeling, but not assume they know exactly what you are going through.

Lived experience

Somebody who has had a profound lived experience in their own darkness and their own journey with mental illness.

No judgement

Somebody who radically accepts others, and does not make any judgements about people, their decisions, or information shared in confidence.

Respectful

Somebody who is respectful towards others, and does not step on other people’s toes. Somebody who respects your confidentiality and privacy.

Reliability

Somebody who can be depended on to be consistent, and on time, all the time.

Active listening

Somebody who can create space, and attentively listen, without being distracted.

Training

Builds upon their experience with training. They are also curious about new approaches and research into new areas when needed.

Patience

Somebody who can take their time and can calmly accept delays, problems and difficulties.

Guides & Stories

Related Resources

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NDIS Mental Health Support Workers in Melbourne

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