Promoting physical health in severe mental illness: patient and staff perspective

Abstract

To prevent and treat physical health problems in patients with severe mental illness, support in daily structure and lifestyle changes is needed. Management support is needed to change daily practice and implement routines regarding physical health.

Mental health nurses’ experience of physical health care and health promotion initiatives for people with severe mental illness

“…Even though the importance of promoting physical health and improvements in physical health care for people with SMI has been highlighted for decades, there continues to be a lack of integrated physical and mental health care (World Health Organization ). Health care for people with SMI is too often separated, and the needs of the whole person are forgotten even though both health care workers and patients view physical and mental health as inseparable (Kristiansen et al ). Mental health nurses have an important role in the development of a more person‐centred care where physical and mental health are integrated and where health promotion has a dedicated place (Wynaden et al ).…”

Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia

“…Many patients had fewer interventions than planned and hoped for, and the focus group sessions stated that they found it difficult to prioritize physical health when their mental health was poor (Blanner Kristiansen et al, 2015). Due to a greater awareness of physical health issues and the fact that we monitored the patients' risk factors at the two hospitals during our study, we expected that physical health received much greater attention than usual.…”

“…4. Focus group discussions with relevant staff and patients at each site in order to both empower the participants and increase their awareness (Blanner Kristiansen et al, 2015). 5.…”

Perspectives of a tailored lifestyle program for people with severe mental illness receiving housing support

“…Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) are overrepresented when it comes to physical health problems caused by poor lifestyle habits (e.g., sedentary lifestyle), and this most likely contributes to up to 20 years shorter life expectancy within this group compared with the general population . The reasons for poor lifestyle habits among persons with SMI may be found in the actual symptoms and consequences of mental disorders (e.g., lack of motivation and medication side effects) as well as in health‐services organizational factors such as the lack of resources, cooperation, and professional competence …”

“…Altogether, cognitive and emotional symptoms may affect the capacity to engage effectively in lifestyle habits . Other factors that could obstruct healthy lifestyle habits within this group include a deficient knowledge of the benefits of living a healthier life, and a lack of support from the staff, which can manifest as negative attitudes . Finally, many people with SMI experience isolation and a lack of social relations in their daily life, and previous research indicates that social support is an important mediator for lifestyle change …”