Working together with people in secure mental health units to stay healthy

People with severe mental health problems can find it more difficult to live healthy lifestyles.

They are more likely to develop conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure and have a reduced life expectancy.

Regular physical activity can improve both mental and physical health, but it’s especially difficult for those living in secure mental health units to stay active.

‘First of its kind’ study

In the first UK feasibility study of its kind, Durham University researchers have worked with service users, NHS staff and other partners to co-create and deliver a physical activity intervention in medium secure mental health units.

These units care for adults who are a risk to themselves or others and have a medium level of security with patients not allowed to leave the site.

Exercise could involve using the onsite gym, gardening or simply walking round the ward.

The participants reported being more active, feeling healthier, and better in themselves after taking part in the program.

The study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, shows that running a physical activity intervention in secure mental health units is possible. It could be effective in improving the physical health of adults living with severe mental health problems in such restricted environments.

Barriers to exercise

People in these units are living with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression.

Medication side effects such as fatigue can make it difficult to exercise, as well as inconsistent attitudes toward exercise by staff.

In the UK, around 3,500 people live in these medium secure services. Despite the clear health risks, there has only been limited research into how to help these individuals stay active.

The next step is to test the program more widely in a larger trial to see how well it works across different hospitals.