Wellness Initiative
Many Oregonians with serious mental illnesses are dying prematurely because of disease, poor access to medical care and related problems. The Oregon Department of Human Services has launched a statewide "wellness" initiative to turn things around.
Those with serious mental illness are dying an average 25 years earlier than the general population, often due to heart disease, diabetes and problems related to side effects of medications, smoking, obesity and lack of holistic medical care, according to research by a national mental health council.
DHS, Addictions and Mental Health Division has begun forming a peer-driven task force to develop health and lifestyle measures and resources to increase the lifespan of those affected by mental illness. The task force will include persons with mental illness, their families, advocates, physicians, mental health professionals, physical fitness experts and others.
(Excerpt from a DHS media release).
Click here for the complete listing of news releases
Wellness Initiative tasks:
- Work with partner DHS and community agencies to implement change in care coordination planning and wellness screening.
- Fund grassroots person-to-person wellness efforts to support education and lifestyle changes at the individual level.
- Develop a mechanism to increase the use of peer-to-peer support services so that individuals can find the side-by-side support needed to be successful in life style changes.
- Fund community education programs in medication management and empowerment.
- Recognize "wellness champions" among our legislative and administrative leaders to create sustainability for a statewide wellness effort.
Recovery Stories
Tool for providers and policymakers
Reports and Research
Presentations
Articles and Newsletters
Resources/Web links
In the U.S. the six most common causes of death are: heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung conditions, accidents and diabetes. Most of these medical conditions occur in greater proportion in mental health consumers and may occur at an earlier age. The two exceptions are cancer, which may not occur at an increased rate, and accidents which occur at a higher rate in mental health consumers.
Smoking Cessation
Links
Here are some great resources that address these six causes of death and other important topics.
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