Why lifestyle advice often fails people with severe mental illness — and how to fix it

This article critically examines how lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, sleep) are often prescribed to people with severe mental illness (SMI) without adequate consideration of the structural, socioeconomic, and psychological barriers they face. It argues that the mental health field must move beyond individual responsibility narratives and co-create realistic, supported lifestyle approaches alongside people with lived experience. The piece draws on scientific literature and firsthand perspectives from a co-production council to advocate for systemic changes in mental health care.