Equally Well UK invites you to an online event in collaboration with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, and supported by NHS England, on the physical health needs of children and young people in contact with mental health services.
Date: Monday 15th June 2026
Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Joining details: MS Teams (a link will be sent following sign-up)
The life expectancy of a person living with schizophrenia or psychosis in the UK is 15-20 years shorter than someone living without a mental illness. Most of this ‘gap’ is caused by poor physical health by conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Children and young people with mental health difficulties often experience significantly poorer physical health outcomes. Despite this, physical health needs are frequently overlooked in mental health care. Early intervention and a more integrated approach to care are essential to improving both physical and mental health outcomes across the life course.
With the recent launch of the Adolescent Lester Tool, the PsyMetRiC app and the new developmental specification for CYPMH specialised services, this online event aims to bridge mental and physical health for children and young people, increase awareness and share good practice as part of a wider culture shift within children and young people mental health services.
The event will be co-chaired by Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan (Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust) and Carina Andrews (member of the PsyMetRiC LEAP). We will be joined by leaders in the field, who will share updates and lead in-depth sessions, alongside young people with lived experience, exploring the following:
- Adolescent Lester Tool (led by David Shiers, Barney Gilbert, and Prathiba Chitsabesan)
- Lessons learnt and inviting feedback for effective implementation of the Lester tool, developed by psychiatrists, paediatricians, GPs, nurses and lived-experience experts to improve physical health in psychosis.
- PsyMetRiC (led by Ben Perry and Carina Andrews)
- Insights into a co-produced digital tool that predicts cardiometabolic risk in young people with psychosis, supporting shared decision-making, prevention, and meaningful discussions on physical health interventions.
- CAMHS inpatient care (led by Shermin Imran and Rebekah Carney)
- Findings from the Y Health study, sharing research and PPIE insights into the physical health needs, experiences and emerging metabolic risks faced by young people in CAMHS inpatient care.
- Psychotropic medications (led by Gillian Coombe and Rachel Hogan)
- Reflections on key themes from the recent NHS England inpatient quality improvement programme on psychotropic medication use in young people and their relevance locally, outlining current or potential actions and required system support.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to join a deep dive session of one of the above topics to advance their knowledge in this area. The session will highlight examples of good practice, showing what effective approaches can look like in real settings, and will offer participants the opportunity to share feedback, discuss challenges, and reflect on changes they would make to improve outcomes.
Please sign up to attend below and indicate on the form which breakout room you would like to join.
Please note this webinar is open to healthcare professionals looking to improve physical health outcomes for people living with severe mental illness. Please share with colleagues who may also be interested. If you have any questions, please get in touch with shizana.arshad@centreformentalhealth.org.uk
Please note that the webinar will NOT be recorded but we will draw out some reflections, quotes and take a snap shot to be used on social media. You can find out more about how we protect the data you use to sign up by reading ourprivacy policy.
