Background information

The information provided corresponds to each of the PHC sections. ‘Physical health of people with mental health problems’ details why the physical health of people with mental illness is a cause for concern. ‘Medications used in the treatment of mental illness’ provides information on psychiatric medications. ‘Controllable risk factors for physical illness’ outlines the main controllable risk factors for physical illness and suggestions on how these might be addressed. The ‘Screening checks’ link provides further information on screening checks.  There is also a link that provides additional sources of help and advice, on a range of relevant issues.

The ethos of the Physical Health Check is that the physical health of those with mental illness can be improved and that we all have a role to play in this. Completing the PHC with service users may be the vital first step needed, to raise awareness of physical health and to address unmet physical health needs.