Sale ee aan oa) a Better health through peer coaching e Sieeen Roe gsane Mind + Body Keeping mind and body together People living with the effects of severe mental illness experience very poor physical health too . . The Royal Australian and New Zealand College ‘of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has joined SANE Australia and other groups in calling for action ‘on this unacceptable situation ‘Anew report from the RANZCP acknowledges the physical health toll of mental illness, and lays out recommendations for what psychiatrists and others can do to lessen it The shocking facts People ving with severe, ongoing mental health centins such as scirphreia are 25 times more likely to have diabetes 6 times more likly to de rom cardiovascular disease, regarless of age oF whether a smoker more likey t0 be diagnosed with diabetes, respiratory disease, or have a stroke under the age of 55 years more likey to die from almost all key chronic conditions, and more likely to die within years of diagnosis extremely likey to also sufer from gastrointestinal disorders such as ivtable bowel syndrome, Abromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and join disorders 90% more likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer 42% per cent more likely to be diagnosed ith breast cancer if female. In view ofthese sobering statistics it is no surprise thatthe report notes life expectancy is around 30% lower than the general population for people ving with severe, ongoing conditions. In response to this unacceptable and largely ‘avoidable impact on physical health, the RANZCP makes eight recommendations for action, Recommendations People with serious mental ilnesses ‘must be designated asa health priority ‘population group by policy makers. Government leaders should commit to ‘close the gap’ on the high mortality rate of ’ ‘people with mental ines ) Physical health monitoring and promotion should bean integral part of mental health | service provision, Integrated care pathways for mental and physical health, Screening and lifestyle interventions should be routinely offered to people diagnosed \with mental heath problems. Prescription of antipsychotic medication should be reviewed regularly, ‘The research community and ‘pharmaceutical industry should invest in development of medications with less deleterious side-effects. Information about promising innovations in improving physical health need to be clisseminated efficiently so they can be replicated. "The College's commitment to addressing physical as well as mental health is very ‘welcome’ says Jack Heath, CEO of SANE Australia, “We look forward to positive action by the RANZCP to complement work already being done inthis space by SANE and others.” Keeping Mind and Body Together Download a copy of the report from the College of Psychiatrists’ website. © wown.ransepiongNe ean od dae Helping Jessie Imagine having no friends at all. Nt a single person to talk to or confide in, How would that make you feel? This isthe sad reality for many people living with mental health problems. Research confirms what! hear every day at SANE Australia ~ that many people affected by mental health problems lead lonely, friendless lives. This isolation isn’t just emotionally painful, it feads to deays in treatment and recovery. I puts people at rsk of taking their own lives. It doesn’t have to be like this. Every day, SANE Australia puts people in touch with the help they need, and importantly - in touch with each other to provide friendship and suppor {As well as our Helpline services, the SANE Forums provide thousands of people all around Australia with a way to connect with and support each ‘thes. With your help, people like Jesse no longer need to be alone. Please make a donation today to ensure this essential work can continue Use the form attached to this issue of SANE News, or online at ‘www.sane.org/helpline-appeal Thank you for your support. GS Jack Heath Chie Executive Officer SSANE Australia Subscribe on YouTube youtube.com/saneaustraia Like on Facebook facebook. comsaneaustalia You(iir) Jessie was too anxious to go outside her front door . Severely affected by mental health prot ns Jessie er job herbed for most she sono he felt or She los contact feared a The less I other people, the harder it 0% un inthe end could hardly leave the house says Jesse Even going to th supermarket filled me with error. fl tapped inside my head, like 1 was a the bottom of a blackhole Desperate for hel, esica contacted SANE Austra Iwona Heeling With he support of ou i Achsors, referral to lca serves, and ing with people online trough the SANE Forums, less’ life has begun tar around Thins are starting to chong For me. Lam not lone. 1 fel ess isolated thanks thesia I get oie who understand me, People whe are from peo gh the same things ‘cart tlie wha difeece that one SANE has mo. SANE Helpline 1800 18 SANE (7263) SANE Forums \www.saneforums.org Follow on Twitter ‘witter.comsaneaustralia