The Wellness Program
The Richmond Foundation Malta, which is an N.G.O. that supports people with mental health problems in the community, is organizing a program for people suffering from mental health problems who would like to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
There is a growing body of evidence that
people diagnosed with serious mental illness, tend to engage in unhealthy
lifestyle practices such as lack of regular physical activity, poor nutrition
and overeating, smoking, irregular and inadequate sleep, and failure to do a
physical medical check-up regularly. These unhealthy behaviours increase
the risk for physical conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
These conditions can lead to a reduced quality of life and sometimes even
premature death. Because of the additional burden caused by psychotropic
medication, this population may be even more challenged by weight problems and
associated complications.
The Wellness Programme is a course designed to help these individuals to develop
a healthier lifestyle by providing the necessary information and encouragement
to make informed decisions about eating options, engaging in regular physical
activity and staying healthy. This approach will help clients develop healthier
lifestyles while ensuring that they continue taking their prescribed medication.
Richmond Foundation is organizing a course for people who are on psychotropic
medication and who are at risk of experiencing the above difficulties. The
program is intended for people between 18 to 50 years of age, who have a
diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or chronic depression and who are
on psychotropic medication.
For further information contact Mr. Pierre Galea, Wellness Program Co-ordinator.
These are the contact details
The Wellness Program
Richmond Foundation
424 St. Joseph High Street
Sta. Venera SVR 1013
Tel: 00356 21224580, 21482336, 21480045
email: info@richmond.org.mt