Physical health is often missed in mental health care, explains Faye Theobald of Cygent Group. But for those with severe mental illness, it’s vital and nurses play a key role in joining the dots.
Faye Theobald is Head of Physical Health at Cygnet Group, a leading independent provider of health and social care services for young people and adults with mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, eating disorders, autism and learning disabilities within the UK.
Physical health and mental wellbeing are deeply intertwined, particularly for individuals with severe mental health illnesses. Recognising and addressing physical health needs is so important for delivering comprehensive care that promotes overall recovery, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes.
Why physical health matters for people with severe mental health illnesses
It is an unfortunate but a well-known fact that people with severe mental illnesses often face a higher burden of physical health problems. Chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking-related illnesses are more prevalent within this population due to multiple factors, including medication side effects, lifestyle choices, and socio-economic challenges. These health issues not only diminish quality of life but also complicate mental health treatment, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality rates.
The role of mental health nurses in physical healthcare
Nurses are at the forefront of delivering physical healthcare in mental health settings. Their responsibilities extend beyond traditional mental health interventions to include education, screening, monitoring, and the coordination of physical health care plans:
• Education: nurses are positioned to educate service users about the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol misuse and medication compliance.
• Screening and monitoring: regular assessments of vital signs, metabolic parameters, and physical health indicators enable early identification of health concerns, prompt intervention, and better management. Monitoring also allows the nurse to detect if a person is physically unwell and requires escalation. This early identification helps prevent the stress and anxiety of emergency hospital admissions and can reduce the likelihood of prolonged treatment and hospitalisation.
• Coordination of care: nurses liaise with multidisciplinary teams – including GPs, dietitians, specialist nurses, dentists, opticians and occupational/ physio/ SaLT therapists, to name a few – to ensure integrated treatment plans address physical needs which have otherwise been neglected due to the person’s poor mental health status.
• Lifestyle programmes: promotion of physical activity, diet and other healthy living strategies are integral to nursing care, helping to mitigate risks associated with sedentary lifestyles and medication side effects.
Bridging the gap: mental and physical healthcare as a unified focus
Despite the critical role nurses play, the current regulatory landscape often under-prioritises physical health skills and interventions within mental health nursing education and practice.
It’s important to recognise that mental and physical health are inseparable components of overall wellbeing. ‘True holistic care’ acknowledges this interdependence. At Cygnet, we promise to continue to direct energy to engage staff in physical health skills and embrace comprehensive physical health promotion which will equip nurses to better care for our service users.
Is there an urgency for change?
Historically, mental health has struggled with stigma, marginalisation, and a lack of prioritisation. Consequently, physical health issues in mental health populations have often been neglected. Today, as the world moves toward a more integrated understanding of health, there is a growing necessity for mental health services to give physical health the attention it warrants. This not only improves individual outcomes but also reduces the long-term burden on healthcare systems.
The power of nursing interventions in promoting physical activity and mental wellbeing
Encouraging physical activity is a well-established strategy to enhance mental health. Regular exercise has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood, increased energy levels, and better sleep patterns. Nurses are uniquely positioned to educate service users about these benefits, fostering motivation and behavioural change.
By advocating for physical activity, nurses can help individuals incorporate simple, sustainable habits into their routines. Moreover, education initiatives led by nurses can shift perceptions, reduce stigma, and promote healthier lifestyles on a broader scale.
A number of services across Cygnet are already using initiatives to encourage service users, and staff to engage in a healthier lifestyle. For example, Cygnet Hospital Colchester has recently developed easy-read oral health resources and created an activity based workshop for service users; and Cygnet Hospital Wyke used this year’s International Nurse’s Day to host a Health Promotion Awareness Day which had such success staff and service users have asked for it to return in the near future.
In similar vein, services have also held a ‘March For Men’ to get people moving in support of Prostate Cancer UK, have a ‘no takeaways’ time period, and weekly well-woman/well-man sessions to open up discussion around specific health topics.
Looking to the future
Overall, the integration of physical health strategies within mental health care is vital for improving outcomes for patients with severe mental illnesses. Nurses, as the largest caregiving professionals in these settings, have a critical role in championing this holistic approach. Improving physical health knowledge and skills, fostering education, and encouraging lifestyle improvements are essential steps toward delivering high-quality, comprehensive care that recognises the inseparable connection between mind and body.
Only by addressing both can we truly improve the lives of those we care for.
Images: George Pagan III via UnSplash and Faye Theobald
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