Improving access to physical activity for people living with severe mental illness
Julia Doyle, Zoë McHayle, Katie Yau, Andy Bell and David Woodhead
People living with severe mental illness have a life expectancy that is 15-20 years shorter than average. This is a deep injustice, and predominantly the result of poorer physical health. Access to exercise opportunities could help to reduce this gap, but people with severe mental illness face many barriers which can put physical activity out of reach. These include:
- Finding gym environments intimidating
- A lack of social support
- Battling the side-effects of medication
- Discouraging conversations with health care professionals.
Sport England funded Rethink Mental Illness to deliver a place-based programme focused on tackling these barriers and increasing physical activity among people living with severe mental illness. The programme was delivered in Tower Hamlets in London and North East Lincolnshire – two areas with high levels of deprivation and health inequality.
Exercising our rights explores the obstacles which prevent people with mental health problems from having equal access to exercise opportunities and evaluates how this programme approached tackling them. One leisure provider, for example, received training on severe mental illness and exercise, and was supported to offer inclusive swimming opportunities.
The report finds that stigma, anxiety and social isolation can compound practical barriers such as financial constraints, accessibility concerns and inadequate transport links. But it highlights that when people with lived experience lead the way, and when the voluntary sector and local government work together, real and lasting change is possible. It shows that providing people with accessible, inclusive and supportive environments to engage in exercise has a vital role to play in combatting the glaring inequalities faced by people with severe mental illness.
