Unit of Study MHNS6004 Physical Health Care in Mental Health (2025)

Unit description

Aims to equip learner's with the knowledge and skills to reduce the life expectancy disparity between people diagnosed and treated for mental health problems and the general population. Learners will develop capabilities to assist people address their holistic needs and promote recovery and wellbeing. This includes consideration of sexual health, diet and nutrition, activity and exercise, and addressing modifiable risk factors for disease highly prevalent in groups who access mental health services. The relationship between physical health and mental health will be examined and learners will explore guidelines for best practice in relation to physical health and lifestyle advice for a range of mental disorders including eating disorders. The effects of medication as they impact on physical health will be critically examined and learner's will consider strategies to address iatrogenic harms of treatment and promote recovery. 

Unit content

• The physical wellbeing of mental health service users
• Modifiable risk factors for disease including smoking, alcohol and drug use, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and poor diet
• Barriers to achieving healthy lifestyles for service users including broad determinants of health, poverty, homelessness, stigma, the impact of symptoms and the effects of treatments
• The effects of pharmacological treatments on the body, sexual functioning, adverse effects, drug induced psychiatric emergencies, the impact of smoking on drug metabolism and cardio-metabolic risks such as metabolic syndrome
• Nutrition, and exercise as treatments to address mental health problems and enhance wellbeing
• Addressing the sexual health needs of mental health service users 
• The aetiology and treatment of eating disorders