In Mind’s Big Mental Health Report 2024, it was estimated that in England around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point each year. At Reed Wellbeing, we are proud to deliver several personal services to make health and wellbeing support more accessible to individuals with mental health issues.
One example of this is Healthy Hearts and Minds, a free lifestyle service that forms part of our One You service in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. Research shows that improving our mental wellbeing can help to reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. The service supports individuals with common mental health issues, including dealing with stress, low mood and reducing anxiety. During the ten week programme, participants receive guidance from our dedicated Health & Wellbeing Coaches through one-to-one educational sessions offered both in-person and online. The sessions cover important mental health techniques and goal setting to help participants make sustainable mental and physical lifestyle changes.
We have also been trialling new ways of tailoring our services to address the role of mental health conditions in addiction. In England, the life expectancy of people with a severe mental illness is 15-20 years shorter than the general population, so it is vital that mainstream health services are adapted wherever possible to address this inequality.
In a recent pilot as part of the Smokefree Norfolk service that we deliver for Norfolk County Council, we provided tailored behavioural smoking cessation support to over 180 individuals living with a moderate to severe mental illness. The programme was successfully adapted to help vulnerable individuals and, with the support of the team, more than half of these participants reached their goal to achieve a four-week quit period. One participant shared, “Without your help I wouldn't have got as far as I have. It's great to have your encouragement at this time.”
In 2024, two similar pilots were trialled on our delivery of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme across Greater Manchester, to improve the outcomes for pre-diabetic individuals who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes while also addressing their coinciding mental health needs. This initiative marked the first UK pilot of a bespoke NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme for those with severe mental illness, addressing the social and cognitive barriers to attendance that some people face.
All participants involved lost weight, and the programme received positive feedback from those who attended. One participant stated: “Me and my husband have both completed the programme and he retires in July. We now cook fresh, and we will continue to. We are going out more at weekends, eating healthier foods and walking more. I feel much better for it.”
Research has shown that physical health and mental wellbeing are deeply interconnected. Our services empower individuals to take control of their health, leading to improved self-esteem, better mood regulation, and an overall enhanced quality of life. Reed Wellbeing's dedication to providing healthy lifestyle services, such as smoking cessation and weight reduction, is vital for individuals experiencing mental health issues. By helping individuals quit smoking and achieve a healthier weight, we not only reduce the risk of chronic physical conditions but also alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
In the last decade, Reed Wellbeing has supported more than 400,000 people to improve their health and wellbeing. With a quarter of the population estimated to experience a mental health problem at some point each year, we are committed to addressing health inequalities by giving individuals the tools they need to overcome barriers and transform their lives.