BOPDHB Checkup October 2017 | Page 14

Healthy Me – a journey not a destination

Finalist

Healthy Me – a journey not a destination

Adult Community Mental , Health & Addiction Service , Whakatāne Hospital & Emerge Aotearoa .
Left to right : Sally Webb , Sue Mackersey , Prue Rangi , Trish Bennett , Lily Vesty , Debbie Brierley-Broad , Meheta Jacobs , Hester Hattingh , Hayley Warner , Kim Hansen , Jamie Smith .
Background Research has shown that clients with Serious Mental Illness ( SMI ) have an increased prevalence of obesity , metabolic syndrome , diabetes mellitus , cardio vascular disease and respiratory disease , and have an increased risk of death by up to 5 times or as much as 30 years life lost . This gap is increasing ( Scott and Happell , 2011 ). Antipsychotic medications contribute to this problem , potentially leading to even greater inequalities for those with a psychotic mental illness .
In Whakatāne , a high proportion of our Tangata Whaiora are Māori . Māori experience greater baseline rates of metabolic syndrome , and the EBOP is socio-economically poorer than WBOP and NZ ( EB PHA , 2012 ). There is also a significantly elevated rate of antipsychotic medication associated metabolic syndrome in Māori compared to Pakeha ( Cameron , et al , 2009 ) , so it was especially important to aim the programme at a culturally competent level , using tikanga to help Tangata Whaiora reach out to services which they may not feel culturally safe to otherwise .
Aim Whakatāne ’ s Community Mental Health service piloted the ‘ Healthy Me ’ programme this year to provide Tangata Whaiora with knowledge about important physical health issues , to empower them to develop ways to improve their physical health / Hauora tinana and wellbeing .
Method The programme was developed by staff in line with the Ministry of Health ’ s “ Equally Well ” approach and builds on the metabolic monitoring programme already in place , adding a group education and activity component to assist in improving physical health . It uses a recovery and client-led approach , and provides health information from service staff and community partners such as smokefree , and green prescription , along with a range of physical activities and support to meet the participant ’ s own personal health goals . The pilot participants were long-term service users with a diagnosis of major mental illness who were taking antipsychotic medication . Priority was given to those with metabolic syndrome .
Results Of the 9 people who signed up , 7 completed the programme ; although not all were able to complete the postprogramme evaluation .
Reaching the target group :
• 7 were long-term clients and using anti-psychotic medication .
• 4 were men and 3 women .
• 6 were Maori and 1 Pakeha .
Improving physical health :
• Less cigarette and alcohol consumption .
• Reduced BP .
• Better total / HDL cholesterol ratio .
• Reduction in weight and waist measurements .
• Increased physical activity and progress to personal health goals .
• Increased understanding of and confidence to access services for physical health problems .
Conclusion This programme :
• Had a measurable effect on physical well-being in just 10 weeks - significant change in two of the most important cardiovascular risk factors for our client group : smoking cessation , and reduced BP / management of hypertension .
• There was a major shift in attitude amongst the group which lead to chronic service users working towards a healthier lifestyle , most of whom likely would not have otherwise .
• Tangata Whaiora were able to see what they do , can make a difference .
• All-inclusive and safe learning environment provided for all levels of learning ability , & gave Tangata Whaiora an opportunity to experiment with cooking and other activities which they would not have the funds to try out otherwise .
• Group aspect provided socialisation , learning and peer support , while individual screening meant that Tangata Whaiora were able to set individualised goals .
• Is community based , and partners with NGOs , GPs , and Māori Health providers built on other “ Equally Well ” initiatives such as the metabolic monitoring project .
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