Persons with MI Die Young: RTs Should Intervene!
Gena Bell is a Ph.D. student at Clemson. I had the pleasure of meeting Gena when I spoke in Judi Voelkl’s class earlier this fall.
Gena recently sent me an interesting article from Time titled “Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger?” (by K. Torgovnick,December 3,2003)that was based on a study published by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
The original study was titled Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness. The research analyzed data from 16 states. It found that persons with severe mental illness died 25 years earlier than the general population.
A related article stated that “Schizophrenia has been described as a ‘life-shortening disease,’ and there is growing evidence to support this claim.” (p.67, Lambert, T.J.R. et al,(2003).Medical comorbidity in schizophrenia. Medical Journal of Australia,178(9), 67-70)
In sum, research has found persons with serious mental illness experience physical illnesses that lead to shortened lives.
The Time article discussed that because those with serious mental illness tend to be smokers, smoking probably contributed to the findings. Obesity however is also a large risk factor.
The Time article also discussed what has become a popular program developed by NAMI in New York City after reading the morbidity and mortality report. This program is called “Six Weeks to Wellness” and “teaches everything from nutrition to controlling anxiety through yoga and meditation.” The article did not indicate this program was run by RTs but it certainly could be.
I found an article, “Integrating Physical Activity Into Mental Health Services for Persons with Serious Mental Illness,” that reviewed evidence that supported the need for interventions to promote physical activity with persons with serious mental illness. The article states: “Mental health service providers can provide effective, evidence-based physical activity interventions for individuals with serious mental illness.” (p. 324,Richardson, C.R. et al, Psychiatry Services, 56(3), 324-331, March 2005).
I would like to thank Gena for calling this shocking situation to our attention. It is clear that those with serious mental illness need interventions to help improve their physical health. It seems obvious to me that RTs should step forward to make this problem known and to initiate interventions that will enhance the health of persons with serious mental illness. Do you agree?
Gena recently sent me an interesting article from Time titled “Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger?” (by K. Torgovnick,December 3,2003)that was based on a study published by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
The original study was titled Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness. The research analyzed data from 16 states. It found that persons with severe mental illness died 25 years earlier than the general population.
A related article stated that “Schizophrenia has been described as a ‘life-shortening disease,’ and there is growing evidence to support this claim.” (p.67, Lambert, T.J.R. et al,(2003).Medical comorbidity in schizophrenia. Medical Journal of Australia,178(9), 67-70)
In sum, research has found persons with serious mental illness experience physical illnesses that lead to shortened lives.
The Time article discussed that because those with serious mental illness tend to be smokers, smoking probably contributed to the findings. Obesity however is also a large risk factor.
The Time article also discussed what has become a popular program developed by NAMI in New York City after reading the morbidity and mortality report. This program is called “Six Weeks to Wellness” and “teaches everything from nutrition to controlling anxiety through yoga and meditation.” The article did not indicate this program was run by RTs but it certainly could be.
I found an article, “Integrating Physical Activity Into Mental Health Services for Persons with Serious Mental Illness,” that reviewed evidence that supported the need for interventions to promote physical activity with persons with serious mental illness. The article states: “Mental health service providers can provide effective, evidence-based physical activity interventions for individuals with serious mental illness.” (p. 324,Richardson, C.R. et al, Psychiatry Services, 56(3), 324-331, March 2005).
I would like to thank Gena for calling this shocking situation to our attention. It is clear that those with serious mental illness need interventions to help improve their physical health. It seems obvious to me that RTs should step forward to make this problem known and to initiate interventions that will enhance the health of persons with serious mental illness. Do you agree?
posted by Hoosier RT | 9:21 AM
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