Tackling Healthcare Disparities in Severe Mental Disorders: Integrating Physical Activity Therapies and Professionals into Mental Health with the Psychiactive Project

This chapter addresses the issue of healthcare disparities among individuals with severe mental disorders (SMD) by focusing on the integration of physical activity therapies as an adjunctive treatment facilitated by physical health professionals within the current mental health paradigm. Emphasis is placed on the compelling need for a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, considering that prevailing mental health services often overlook physical exercise as a pivotal element in both the prevention and treatment of this escalating concern. To achieve this goal, an enhanced understanding of how such interventions can be meticulously designed and effectively implemented in “real-world” conditions is imperative to optimize patient adherence. This chapter reviews selected case studies that have successfully implemented physical activity programs within mental health services, thereby enhancing the overall health and quality of life of people with SMD. Moreover, the chapter explores the existing barriers impeding the effective implementation of this innovative approach in mental health, offering insightful strategies to overcome these obstacles. Taking this evidence together and undertaking a review of the updated literature, this chapter provides a robust foundational framework for comprehending the significance and feasibility of integrating physical activity therapies into the comprehensive treatment paradigm for SMD.