Projects and initiatives

NSW Health’s project showcasing events aim to promote the physical health of people with mental health issues, including priority populations, through practice improvement and innovation, local leadership, and inter-network collaboration in service delivery and design.

The Physical Health and Mental Health (PHMH) Forum 2022

The Physical Health and Mental Health Forum 2022 (the Forum) was a collaborative event between the Mental Health Branch and Agency for Clinical Innovation held on 3 ​November 2022. The forum was held to support the implementation of the Physical Health Care for People Living with Mental Health Issues (GL2021_006) Guideline (the Guideline).

Featured below is one of the five projects showcased on the day, “Gym and Swim” 

Prevention and health promotion

Gym and Swim Program: Improving mental health by building community, confidence and cardio-metabolic health

Sydney LHD

Transcript: Gym and Swim Program

Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) – Physical health practice improvement project forum

The OPMH – Physical health practice improvement project was showcased on 7 November 2022. Through this statewide project, the Mental Health Branch OPMH policy unit worked with OPMH services and other partners to translate policy into practice. This has project supported OPMH inpatient and community teams from across NSW to develop and implement practice improvements to enhance physical health assessment and care for older people with a mental illness in NSW in partnership with community managed organisations, academic partners, Equally Well, the Clinical Excellence Commission and many others.

For more information see Older people's mental health (OPMH) services - Mental health and the NSW Older People’s Mental Health Services Service Plan 2017-2027.

Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) – Physical health practice improvement project highlights

Transcript: Highlights

LIVE WELL: Empowering positive lifestyle changes in older consumers

South Western Sydney LHD

Dr Carmelo Aqulina, Clinical Director Older Persons Mental Health, SWSLHD

Lachlan Best, Project Manager LIVE WELL and Senior Occupational Therapist, Older Persons Mental Health SWSLHD

Transcript: LIVE WELL

More information can be found on the Live Well website.

Adapting fit for life: Redefining mental health intervention in regional NSW

Western NSW LHD

Gabe McNamara, District Coordinator for Older people’s mental health, WNSWLHD

Dr Rachel Rossiter, Assoc/Prof in the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University

Transcript: Adapting fit for life

This project has also resulted in a peer review publication in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.

McNamara, G., Robertson, C., Hartmann, T., & Rossiter, R. (2022). Effectiveness and benefits of exercise on older people living with mental illness’ physical and psychological outcomes in regional Australia: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 1-13.

OPtiMHise: Optimising the health and lifestyle factors of consumers accessing the Older People’s Mental Health Service

South Eastern Sydney LHD

Dr Katherine Mullin, Psychiatrist, Older Person’s Mental Health Team, Prince of Wales Hospital, SESLHD

Natalie Narunsky, Occupational Therapist, SESLHD

Transcript: OPtiMHise


Current as at: Tuesday 18 April 2023
Contact page owner: Mental Health