Promotion mental health: Healthy habits program in patients with severe mental illness in the north Almeria mental health unit (Activarte)

Abstract

Introduction

Promoting healthy lifestyles in patients with severe mental illness (balance diet, physical activity, smoking withdraw, adequate oral hygiene, optimal self-esteem and healthy sexuality) help patients to rely on their recovery.

Aims

– avoid social isolation and stigma.

– encourage the recovery process, considering as well as the manage of symptoms together the functioning and quality of life of the patients.

– improve the progress and illness prognosis.

Methods

– The program is introduced in the North Health Area of Almeria (Hospital Huercal–Overa) and FAISEM–Andalusia foundation to the social inclusion of mental illness patients;

– patients included in the program has been previously assess and informed-therapeutical contract;

– the program started in January 2013, with 10 sessions in the community, and groups sessions.

Results

– fifty patients included between a total of 300–initial target 16%;

– the initial target considered was at least 60–75% of participation rate—being the result of 80–95%;

– physical assessment detected 10% of metabolic syndrome being the patients referred to primary medical care to the adequate management.

Program:

– twenty group sessions scheduled being performed 19: 95%;

– ten active sessions in community scheduled being performed 9: 90%–one sessions (beach trip) was cancelled due to budget problem;

– patients level of satisfaction: under assessment;

– broadcasting: 2 press articles, scientific communications, and shared the experience through FAISEM to all the Andalusia Areas.

– research: expecting spreading the experience and improve the results.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.