The role of social workers in improving the physical health of people who use mental health services

This paper highlights some key actions social workers can take to help improve the physical health of people living with mental illness. Despite an 80% comorbidity rate , many people living with mental illness still do not receive a physical health check-up. For this and other reasons, people living with mental illness die, on average, 10-20 years prematurely. This early death is usually preceded by years or decades of poor health. Using a collective impact approach, this paper discusses actions to increase autonomy, advocate for better access to quality physical health care, and minimise iatrogenic harm for people living with mental illness.