Let's work together towards a healthy mind and body

Your physical wellbeing is just as important as your mental wellbeing and need to be cared for equally.

That’s why it’s important to let your mental health service know who your regular GP is – and if you don’t have a regular GP, ask the mental health services for support to find one.

Make appointments with your GP to have a Metabolic Health Assessment (physical health assessment) every six months.

What is a Metabolic Health Assessment?

People with an enduring mental illness can have poorer health if not managed appropriately
Australian evidence shows that people living with severe mental illness are:

  • likely to die between 14 and 23 years earlier than the general population
  • six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease
  • four times more likely to die from respiratory disease
  • five times more likely to smoke.

To ensure coordinated and effective health care for people with a mental illness, they should have a physical health improvement plan.

Resources

Information for people and family/kinship member, carers and or supporter:

Specific requirements resources

Resources for clinicians

Visit the Metabolic health page for information and resources for clinicians.