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 Good mental and physical health matter for all of us.
For
people living with a mental illness, it’s especially important as
research shows they are at higher risk of physical health problems such
as heart disease and diabetes, for example. For people affected by
physical illnesses, too, there are higher rates of mental health
problems such as anxiety disorders and depression.
SANE Australia’s Mind and Body Initiative recognises that a healthier
life includes both mental and physical wellness, and promotes common
sense steps to improve health for the whole person. As well as
campaigning for improved treatments and support, SANE has developed a
range of resources in this area.
 SANE Guide to Healthy Living
A guidebook in easy-to-understand language to help people with a mental
illness look after their physical health. Includes information and tips
on common sense steps to achieve a healthier lifestyle and finding
support to do this.
Healthy Living: Factsheet and Pamphlet
As well as downloadable Factsheets, a full-colour pamphlet can be requested from the SANE Helpline or purchased in packs from the SANE Bookshop.
 SmokeFree resources
Smoking rates among people with a mental illness are much higher than
the general population. SANE has developed resources specially to help
them quit, including the SANE Guide to a SmokeFree Life and the SANE SmokeFree Kit
to enable health workers to run quit smoking programs tailored for
people with a mental illness (to download program material appendixes
for the Smokefree Kit click here). The SANE Smokefree Guidelines for GPs is an information pamphlet for GPs on this topic. A study of the human and economic costs of smoking among this group - Smoking: Costs - has been commissioned from Access Economics, and is available from this website.
Looking after your physical health
Regular health checks are especially important for people living with a
mental illness, to pick up any potential problems early so they can be
prevented, diagnosed and treated. SANE is developing resources to
empower people with a mental illness to look after their physical
health (in partnership with St Vincent’s Health Service in Victoria).
The first of these is a special Factsheet including a checklist of
helpful tests and topics to discuss with your doctor. This is being
distributed via GPs through out Australia and is also available as a
downloadable Factsheet from the SANE website.
For people with long-term health conditions
SANE
works in partnership with other health organisations to develop Guides
and other resources on good mental health for those with chronic
physical health conditions. Resources available so far include:
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The SANE Guide to Good Mental Health for People affected by Diabetes
Available from Diabetes Australia: call 02 6232 3800 or visit www.diabetesaustralia.com.au to order.
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Staying mentally healthy when you have a spinal cord injury is a SANE Factsheet available from this website. See other helpful resources on living with spinal cord injury here.
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