The 2018 International Mental Health Conference is almost upon us again, this year the conference will be held over the 8th – 10th August at the RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

This annual conference is now in its 19th year and continues to be the pinnacle event in the mental health industry. The Conference provides an invaluable opportunity to build relationships and to share knowledge, research and latest policies.

Ms Katie Wilson, Team Leader of Recovery Program at Headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program joins us at the conference to discuss ‘My Body, My Mind, Me: A Physical Health Program’.

Abstract

Weight gain and increased cardio-metabolic risk are common side effects of several psychotropic medications, adding to the potential challenges experienced when living with early psychosis, however the inclusion of Exercise Physiologists within youth mental health settings is unusual. Evidence suggests that supervised exercise interventions can be effective at reducing unwanted weight gain. Exercise Physiology services were therefore implemented within the recovery program at the headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP) in South Eastern Melbourne from the outset.

hYEPP considers mental health and physical health as fundamentally connected. We take a holistic approach when supporting young people with their individual recovery journey, to improve their quality of life as well as physical and mental health outcomes.

An exclusive 12-week Program titled My Body, My Mind, Me (MBMMM) has recently been created to improve young peoples’ overall health profile and prevent/manage the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, specifically targeting those at high risk. Physical health screening of all young people entering the hYEPP program is helping to identify those at most risk of poor physical health outcomes. This paper reports on the work involved in creating and tailoring the MMMBM program specifically to meet the needs of these young people.

Biography

Nancy Pepper is an Exercise Physiologist passionate about using exercise and physical activity as medicine to improve quality of life and enhance overall health and wellbeing. She is passionate about facilitating group programs as well as educating young people about the benefits of being physically active to better their mental and physical health.

For further information on the 19th International Mental Health Conference and to secure your spot please visit anzmh.asn.au/conference