The aim of this project was to trial several initiatives to address cigarette smoking in people with mental illness, who have higher rates of tobacco use compared to the general population. People living with mental illness may turn to smoking as a way of coping with their symptoms. Additionally, some psychiatric medications can increase the risk of tobacco dependence.  

The KBIM(gardens) research team designed the projects, successfully applied for funding, and managed the implementation and evaluation of the activities.  

This project targeted gaps in current services provided to people living with mental illness  within the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), including: 

• a personalised smoking cessation intervention from a tobacco treatment specialist and mental health peer worker 

• a training and education program delivered to mental health clinicians 

• contributions to a state-wide randomised control trial aiming to address smoking rates of people with mental illness in hospital-based settings 

• vaping interventions for youth with mental health concerns 

Interventions can help people reduce their tobacco use, promoting better physical and mental health and helping to reduce their higher rates of smoking-related illnesses. 

Learn more about the tobacco treatment, here: Keeping the Body in Mind(gardens) training video: Tobacco Treatment (youtube.com) 

About the project

More than 60% of people experiencing serious mental illness smoke, compared to 12.8% of the general population. Both national and local policy recognise the need to address smoking in this group. KQIM supports people who use SESLHD mental health services, assisting their efforts to quit and providing nicotine replacement therapy and other targeted interventions. 

Vaping Research Projects

Staff participants anecdotally reported increased vaping rates amongst youth and adult consumers. Acknowledging their limited knowledge of how to treat or recommend quitting options for vaping, they requested additional and ongoing training in this area. 

KBIM(gardens) is committed to developing a series of vaping-specific translational research projects to identify treatment need in this area, deliver specific training and education to staff, and tailored interventions to mental health consumers.  

An area of initial priority is a scoping cross-sectional survey to identify the vaping rates of all SESLHD Mental Health consumers.