WHO guidelines: Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders

WHO guidelines: Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders

2018

Preventable physical health conditions lead to premature mortality in people with severe mental disorders, reducing their lifespan by 10-20 years. The majority of these premature deaths are due to physical health conditions.

The physical health of people with severe mental disorders is commonly overlooked, not only by themselves and people around them but also by health systems, resulting in crucial physical health disparities and limited access to health services. Many lives can be saved by ensuring that people with severe mental disorders receive treatment.

WHO’s “Guidelines on the management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders” provide evidence-based, up-to-date recommendations to practitioners on how to recognize and manage co-morbid physical and mental health conditions.

The resource contains the following:

  1. Recommendations for positive lifestyle changes including a healthier diet, building in more physical activity, reduction in substance use, medication and psychosocial support
  2. Guidelines for front-line health care providers, policy-makers and health-care planners who are implementing services for people with severe mental disorders 
  3. Recommendations for programmes within multiple levels of health care systems and social contexts

Photo Credit: © World Health Organization 2018


Video Instruction to the Guidelines:

Improving the physical health of people with severe mental disorders

Details

Type
Evaluation
Disorder(s)
All mental health conditions