Learning from each other: FND Australia Support Services
Mental Health Coordinating Council is proud to launch Learning from each other, a new member highlight series that showcases the incredible work of our members, supporting member collaboration and sharing resources to strengthen our sector.
Every year, 25 March marks Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day. This year’s recognition has a simple but powerful message: Open the Door. Start the Conversation. Hear the Voice of Lived Experience.
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a complex neurological condition that affects how the brain sends and receives signals to the body. People living with FND can experience a range of disabling and distressing symptoms, including seizures, paralysis, movement disorders, blindness, speech difficulties, chronic pain, and cognitive impairment.
Despite representing up to one-third of outpatient neurology clinic attendances, awareness of FND remains critically low. Dr Katherine Gill, founder of FND Australia Support Services (FND Aus) explains that outdated stigma linked to “conversion disorders” and assumptions of malingering still persist.
Sitting between neurology and psychiatry within a highly siloed health system, people with FND are often “ping-ponged” between the two sectors, receiving little understanding and no integrated care.
Run entirely by a team of lived-experience volunteers, FND Aus provides counselling, free information, online peer support meetings and links to services for people experiencing functional symptoms.
“We work across Australia using online support. Just dealing with an acquired disability, that alone can cause anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and then highly successful people not able to work, not able to continue their life.” she says.
The team have also created the FND Aus app, equipping people living with FND with resources, FAQs, and tools for symptom self-management.
Supporting clinicians and improving care
Dr Gill emphasises that functional neurological disorder is a very real neurological condition requiring early intervention and support.
Upskilling mental health, allied health, and general health providers to recognise and treat FND is critical. People who receive appropriate support within six months of symptom onset have far greater chances of recovery.
“We’re trying to create awareness of FND and would like to see more training in the sector. But also clinical pathways developed, because people just don’t know what to do. You go to the hospital… they send you home. They’re not linked into key pathways,” Dr Gill explains.
To improve clinical care, FND Aus delivers training packages to health services and provides resources for health professionals. The team also partners with researchers to inform future treatment and management approaches.
Opening the door for greater understanding
Every person living with FND has a unique presentation. Symptoms can fluctuate, overlap with other conditions, and involve physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges, requiring individualised assessment, treatment, and disability support.
Every year, 25 March marks Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day. This year’s recognition has a simple but powerful message: Open the Door. Start the Conversation. Hear the Voice of Lived Experience.
To learn more about functional neurological disorder and access resources and training, visit FND Australia Support Services’ website.
