The Mind-Body Well-being Initiative: a better lifestyle for people with severe mental illness

Australas Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;29(4):434-438. doi: 10.1177/1039856220978864. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to describe 'The Mind-Body Well-being Initiative', a residential mental health treatment model based on the Lifestyle Medicine paradigm, which comprises a mind and body well-being programme. In people with severe mental illness (SMI), particularly for those experiencing psychotic illness, the physical health and mortality gap is significant with greater presence of chronic disease and a 15-20-year life expectancy gap.

Conclusions: Our AIM Self-Capacity model of care attempts to address the physical and mental health care needs for the promotion of our patients' recovery.

Keywords: lifestyle; model of service; physical health; severe mental illness; well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Mental Disorders* / therapy
  • Mental Health*