ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the many physical health consequences of severe mental illness (usually defined as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders) and the common comorbidity of long-term physical health conditions and depressive disorder. It discusses severe mental illness and physical health and depression and physical health. Pharmacological therapy with bisphosphonates can be given to people with mental illness who have low bone mineral density, in the same way as it is prescribed for the general population. Health-care personnel involved in the care of people with mental illness should be more proactive at ensuring that people with mental illness attend cancer screening programmes and follow-up sessions when due. A balanced care model which is essentially community-based, but in which hospitals play an important backup role has been recommended for optimal mental health-care provision. In most countries, primary care acts as the “gatekeeper” to care in specialist settings.
