MindBodyLife clinics

As part of its commitment to optimising health and quality of life for people with severe mental illness, Eli Lilly is supporting MindBodyLife clinics throughout Australia. Weight management programs are one focus of the clinics.

Excessive body weight is now a major health concern for the population of Australia as a whole. People with serious mental illness face additional challenges in maintaining healthy eating and an active lifestyle. In addition, weight gain is a recognised side effect of a number of antipsychotic and other medications.

Weight management clinics are typically conducted in small groups for a limited fixed number of weekly sessions (for example, 8 or 10), each session lasting an hour or so. Sessions often start with measuring recent weight change and discussion of personal experiences of diet, activity and weight. Structured educational components aim to develop knowledge about the links between mental illness and weight change, skills in food preparation and healthy eating, and ways to integrate physical activity into daily life. Many groups also incorporate outings and other activities in an environment that is supportive, encouraging and enjoyable.

Ask your local Mental Illness Fellowship or Schizophrenia Fellowship if they have a clinic that you can join.