The understanding of how to reduce risk factors for mental disorders has expanded remarkably as a result of recent scientific advances. This study, mandated by Congress, reviews those advances in the context of current research and provides a targeted definition of prevention and a conceptual framework that emphasizes risk reduction. Highlighting opportunities for and barriers to interventions, the book draws on successful models for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, injuries, and smoking. In addition, it reviews the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and dependence, depressive disorders, and conduct disorders and evaluates current illustrative prevention programs. The models and examination provide a framework for the design, application, and evaluation of interventions intended to prevent mental disorders and the transfer of knowledge about prevention from research to clinical practice. The book presents a focused research agenda, with recommendations on how to develop effective intervention programs, create a cadre of prevention researchers, and improve coordination among federal agencies.

The understanding of how to reduce risk factors for mental disorders has expanded remarkably as a result of recent scientific advances. This study, mandated by Congress, reviews those advances in the context of current research and provides a targeted definition of prevention and a conceptual framework that emphasizes risk reduction. Highlighting opportunities for and barriers to interventions, the book draws on successful models for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, injuries, and smoking. In addition, it reviews the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and dependence, depressive disorders, and conduct disorders and evaluates current illustrative prevention programs. The models and examination provide a framework for the design, application, and evaluation of interventions intended to prevent mental disorders and the transfer of knowledge about prevention from research to clinical practice. The book presents a focused research agenda, with recommendations on how to develop effective intervention programs, create a cadre of prevention researchers, and improve coordination among federal agencies.

Patients with severe mental disorders (SMD), including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and related spectrum disorders, have a reduced life expectancy of 10-25 year compared with the general population. This life expectancy gap is mainly due to the co-occurrence of many physical diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV. Factors contributing to the reduced life expectancy can be grouped into three main categories: a) factors related to the patient; b) factors related to clinicians; and c) factors related to the health system. As regards the first group, patients with SMD often adopt unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including heavy smoking, reduced physical activity, sedentary behaviors, poor diet and alcohol or drug abuse, and are reluctant to seek for physical care with GPs and other medical specialists. Increasing the levels of physical activity, improving the dietary patterns, and reducing the smoking habits of people with severe mental disorders represent a global health challenge and a public health priority. Until now, attempts made to reduce this mortality gap have acted at three different levels: health system level, physician level, and patient level. The third-level interventions include electronic alerts through smartphones and web-based platforms, intensive case management, promotion of healthy habits, complex psychosocial interventions. Several population-based studies have showed that lifestyle behaviors are amenable to change through the adoption of specific psychosocial interventions. However, most clinical guidelines, although emphasizing the importance of health monitoring and regular check-ups for patients with severe mental illnesses, do not make specific recommendations on the provision of lifestyle interventions. These lifestyle-oriented interventions, consisting of behavioral, educational, and psychological components, have been conducted mainly in research settings, and have shown a good impact on patients’ physical health. Despite this, their feasibility in routine settings has not been tested yet. It seems to be clinically and ethically relevant to develop, validate and carry out interventions to improve the lifestyle’s behaviors of patients with severe mental disorders, to reduce the presence of comorbidities and to improve their life expectancy. In this Research Topic we will summarize the available knowledge of the efficacy and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions aimed at improving healthy lifestyle behaviors and promoting the physical health of patients with severe mental disorders. Total number of articles: 19

This WHO report co-funded by the European Commission gives an overview of policies and practices for mental health in 42 Member States of the European Region. A large majority of countries have made significant progress over the past few years, and several are world leaders in mental health promotion, mental disorder prevention activities, service reform and human rights. Nevertheless, this report also identifies weaknesses in Europe, some systematic, such as a lack of consensus on definitions, and of compatible data collection, and others such as the need for development and investment across several areas. It identifies gaps in information where further work must be done, and is a baseline against which progress can be measured towards the vision and the milestones of the Mental Health Declaration for Europe. The data were obtained from the ministries of health of 42 European Member States. Over 150 figures and tables in the report demonstrate the diversity across the European Region, and allow country to country comparisons of indicators such as numbers of psychiatrists, financing, community services, training of the workforce, the prescription of anti-depressants and representation of users and carers.

This new edition focuses on practice in mental health and psychiatric care integrating theory and the realities of practice. Mental wellness is featured as a concept, and the consideration of a range of psychosocial factors helps students contextualise mental illness and psychiatric disorders.