Associate professor Russell Roberts said the Equally Well initiative, launched at the National Press Club in Canberra this week, would make their physical health a national priority.

Professor Roberts said it was an aspect to treatment often neglected. 

“The health outcomes of people living with a mental illness are worse than the general public,” Professor Roberts said. 

“People with a severe mental illness (there’s a difference) die 20-years earlier than the general population. This is not right.”

He said, by definition, a severe mental illness significantly impaired the ability to function normally, requiring long-term treatment.

Professor Roberts said focusing on physical wellbeing was a matter of importance for all health and human service professionals as almost 80 per cent of people living with mental illness also had a mortality-related physical health condition.

The national initiative and a consensus statement was agreed to by all the Australian state and territory governments and almost the entire health sector, according to Professor Roberts.  

Among 48 specific actions, he said everyone with a mental illness should be regularly screened for physical disease. 

Professor Roberts said a comprehensive and holistic care plan should be drawn up for individuals, covering a broad range of health-related factors including: mental health, physical health, diet, exercise and lifestyle. 

Further details and resources relating to improving the physical health of people living with an mental illness can be found HERE.