Physical Health and Wellbeing

The Physical Health of People with Mental Illness

This page is curently under review and construction - June 2012

Some Facts
Literature Review
Smoking
Physical Activity
Diabetes
Going to the GP
Oral health

People affected by serious mental illness face critical challenges to achieving and maintaining the same physical health as other people in the community.  We know the most about people affected by schizophrenia.

31% of people with schizophrenia and coronary heart disease (CHD) are diagnosed under the age of 55, compared with 18% of others with CHD. 

• After five years, and adjusting for age, 22% of people with CHD who have schizophrenia have died, compared with 8% of people with no serious mental health problems.

41% of people with schizophrenia and diabetes are diagnosed under the age of 55, compared with 30% of others with diabetes.

•  After five years, 19% of people with diabetes who have schizophrenia have died, compared with 9% of people with no serious mental health problems.

21% of people with schizophrenia who have a stroke are under 55, compared with 11% of others who have a stroke.

• After five years, 28% of people who have had a stroke and who also have schizophrenia have died, compared with 12% of people with no serious mental health problems.

23% of people with schizophrenia and respiratory disease are diagnosed before the age of 55, compared with 17% of others with respiratory disease.
 

• After five years, 28% of people with respiratory disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder who also have schizophrenia have died, compared with 15% of people with no serious mental health problems.

In 2011, MIFA completed a review of the most recent literature about the physical health - read it here

In 2012, MIFA conducted webinars aimed at people affected by mental illness and addressing their physical health challenges

TOBACCO USE AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS

Did you know that 40% of all the remaining smokers in Australia are people with a mental illness?

Three video clips from the webinar  conducted in 2012 will be inserted here

Some other resources to support people to quit or reduce tobacco use

Quit Now

See this short  video about one person’s experience of quitting smoking

 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNES

 Physical Activity provides benefits on many levels, including improved energy levels, better quality sleep and improved physical health.

Three video clips from the webinar - to be inserted here

Some other resources to support people in increasing  their physical activity

Active Living  - National Heart Foundation

Healthy & Active Australia

SANE Mind + Body initiative

DIABETES REMAINS AN IMPORTANT HEALTH ISSUE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS

MIFA has developed a paper outlining the issues for people with mental illness and diabetes

Diabetes Australia has great information about Understanding Diabetes

SANE Australia has a Fact Sheet about living with Diabetes and mental illness

REMEMBER YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH WHEN YOU SEE THE GP OR PSYCHIATRIST

Most people get a general health check when they first see their GP or psychiatrist.

If you do not get offered a regular health check after that, then remind your GP or psychiatrist that it is time to review your physical health.

It’s also important to have a check-up when you start a new medication.

If you think you might need a reminder about what to ask your GP or psychiatrist at a general health check, see this list from SANE Australia

ORAL HEALTH

People affected by serious mental illness have some of the poorest oral health in Australia. MIFA has summarised some of its concerns here

A review by the University of Queensland in 2011 found that people affected by serious mental illness were 3.4 times more likely to have lost all their teeth than opther people in the community.

They were also 6.2 times more likely to have decayed, filled or missing teeth.
 

Regular dental examination is vitally important for people affected by mental illness, and some people will be eligible for dental care via the Commonwealth’s Dental Care for People with Chronic and Complex Conditions Medicare Scheme which people can access via their GP.