Mental Health in Scotland: Improving the Physical Health and Well Being of those Experiencing Mental Illness

Service Users and Carers

When asked, many service users will confirm they want attention paid to their general health and wellbeing including smoking cessation input, dietary and other lifestyle advice and physical screening ³³. They are also becoming increasingly aware of the potential for improved mental health if their physical health is optimal, and of the relevance of including good physical health in a wellness recovery action plan ³⁴.

Service users, carers and families must be given more opportunities to learn of the importance of maintaining and improving their physical health and the beneficial effects on mental health. They must also be encouraged to express their own views about any underlying reasons, such as low self esteem, depressed mood or previous trauma experience, as to why they may be unable to take advantage of this knowledge. Information should be provided in accessible formats (on request) to help illustrate ways to reduce possible risks to health. All will have a role in promoting and supporting access and uptake.

Carers play a key role in supporting, motivating and encouraging uptake of healthier lifestyles and recognising physical health problems at an early point.

Better Health Better Care ³⁵ and the Care 21 Report³⁶ recognise this significant contribution and underline the need for appropriate involvement of the Carer and Service Users in the design and delivery of individual care plans.

The emotional and physical needs of carers themselves must not be overlooked, especially in the case of young carers and those looking after the more severely ill, or relatives with dementia.