221406 Wellness: A social justice issue for persons with behavioral health disorders

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 5:30 PM - 5:45 PM

Karen Devine, MSW Candidate , Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Mandy May, MPH , Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Chad David Morris, PhD , Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Persons with behavioral health disorders face disabling health conditions at a significantly greater rate than the general population and are dying an average of 25 years earlier (NASMHPD, 2006).These dramatic rates of morbidity and mortality are commonly due to modifiable risk behaviors including poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and tobacco-use. Approximately 29% of men and 60% of women with serious mental illness are obese (compared to 17.7% and 28.5% respectively in the general population) (3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination survey). Tobacco use among this population ranges from 40-90%, (e.g., Grant, et al., 2004), over twice that of the general population. The causes of greater obesity and tobacco use among persons with behavioral health conditions are complex, but clearly associated with the social inequalities. These individuals receive inadequate healthcare and are not afforded the same opportunities for wellness as the general population (Murali & Oyebode, 2004). Persons with behavioral health disorders are motivated to quit smoking and lose weight, and report a strong desire to lead healthy lives, but are often not provided the appropriate level of care to help them achieve desired behavioral change (Allison et al., 2009). In this presentation, we discuss the concept of wellness as a social justice issue for persons with behavioral health disorders. Focusing on tobacco use and obesity, we will present a summary of bio-psycho-social factors that lead to heightened risk among these persons, present the evidence for intervening, and offer pragmatic strategies for integrating wellness initiatives into public behavioral health services.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
• Describe the physiological, psychological, and social health disparities facing individuals with behavioral health disorders • Evaluate current interventions utilized in behavioral health settings • Identify intervention strategies for this population and discuss methods for integrating into current treatment options

Keywords: Wellness, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I coordinate programs to reduce health disparities among persons with mental health and substance use disorders.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.