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In November of 2005, FPHNY partnered with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to hold "Mind Your Health: Expanding the Vision of Mental Health and Recovery." The goal of the conference was to educate consumers of mental health care and mental health providers about the disproportionate physical health risks that consumers of mental health care face. The conference objectives were to empower mental health consumers to take greater control of their health, educate consumers and providers about steps to integrate primary health care into mental health programs, and link consumers to health care services in the community.
People with serious mental illnesses generally have poor physical health, a significantly shorter life expectancy than the general population and have undiagnosed and untreated health problems. The nature of mental illness often causes individuals to neglect their health due to poverty, social withdrawal and apathy. This conference aimed to help eliminate the barriers and obstacles to the integration of physical and behavioral health for this high-risk population.
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42% of
individuals with mental disorders had at least
one chronic physical illness severe enough
to limit daily functioning. |
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Individuals with schizophrenia
have particularly high rates of medical disorders.
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Among
individuals with schizophrenia, more than
50% had one or more health conditions. 75%
had diabetes, breathing problems, heart problems
and/or bowel problems, and 58% had high blood
pressure. |
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Individuals
with serious mental illnesses living in the
community have death rates 2.4 times that
of the general population. |
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On average,
35% of individuals with serious mental disorders
have at least one undiagnosed medical disorder.
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