People with complex mental health issues can face reduced life-expectancies of 15 to 20 years, compared to the rest of the Australian population. Mental health medications and less access to healthy lifestyles are key drivers of these health disparities, increasing the chances of developing cardiometabolic diseases such as type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.  

The Community in Motion Project was designed to trial innovative interventions for these under-serviced groups by embedding an exercise physiology service within a national support organisation for people living with mental health issues, Flourish Australia, to create resources and training to support people through physical activity.  

The project includes exercise physiology, psychology, psychiatry, endocrinology and public health, embedded in the service. Together, they will co-design, evaluate and implement strategies aimed at preventing and managing cardiometabolic risks, with the potential to expand the program from Flourish’s Buckingham House Surry Hills location to Flourish’s sites nationwide.  

About the Project

The project aims to prevent health complications through risk identification, care coordination and evidence-based interventions that improve physical health.  

Physical activity not only improves symptoms of mental health conditions but also addresses physical health comorbidities. Although physical activity interventions are well-integrated across a variety of mental health service models, there is a gap in implementation. This is partly due to a lack of resources, including staff knowledge and capacity to deliver support. By adopting implementation science and community-based participatory research, this project aims to; 

1. Generate evidence on: 

1. Components of a tailored physical activity service within Flourish that meets service users’ needs and integrates with existing care models 

1. Mental health staff’s needs to improve skills, knowledge, and confidence in facilitating physical activity and physical healthcare 

1. Evaluate the implementation, including feasibility and acceptability, and effectiveness of codesigned: 

1. Integrated physical activity program for mental health consumers (Flourish funded) 

1. Staff exercise and educational intervention 

1. Physical activity and metabolic health training/resources for mental health staff 

Project Status

This project is current and ongoing. The findings from this research will significantly influence practice change by demonstrating how physical activity interventions can be effectively integrated into community-managed mental health services. 

Funding Sources

• Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE ) 

• NHMRC Collaborative Health Services Research Grant