ALMOST a hundred people attended an event in Worcestershire raising awareness of the importance of treating mental and physical health equally.

The event on Friday, October 24 was held as part of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Mental Health Month and saw healthcare workers and members of the public hear experts speak about the link between physical and psychological health.

Evidence has shown poor physical health can have a major impact on mental stability. Adults with type one or two diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from depression while anxiety disorders are six times more common in those with asthma

Among speakers at the event at the Charles Hastings Education Centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital were former joint leader of the UK’s national Early Intervention in Psychosis Programme Dr David Shiers and clinical chairman of South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Dr Anthony Kelly.

Consultant clinical psychologist Professor Jo Smith also spoke about the Supporting Health and Promoting Exercise (SHAPE) project, which helps younger patients improve their mental wellbeing through exercise.

The project was launched in July by the Trust and a number of other organisations including the University of Worcester and encourages patients to lead more active lifestyles to prevent conditions such as diabetes, which can be linked with psychological problems.

Professor Smith said the project had already received some excellent feedback from patients.

“SHAPE is available to all young people receiving support from the Worcestershire Early Intervention Team working with young people presenting with a first episode of psychosis,” she said.

“The support we provide is part of a holistic care package that goes from nutritional and smoking cessation advice to carers’ evenings to engage support from family members and group exercise.”

Consultant psychiatrist with the North Worcestershire Early Intervention team Dr Alan Farmer also presented figures showing that young people with psychosis working with his team are healthier than others around the same age and have significantly less weight problems.

The trust’s chief executive Sarah Dugan said the organisation – which provides the majority of mental health services in the county – was committed to treating patients with both physical and psychological problems with the same level of importance.

“People with a mental illness face a number of preventable health inequalities, from weight gain and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease to a shortened lifespan,” she said.

“We must empower people to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and work together to confront the perception that poor physical health is inevitable.”