Implementing a Person-Centred Lifestyle Programme in a Mental Health Member Organisation: Implications for Psychiatric Nursing.

Abstract

People with mental disorders often experience unmet physical, psychological, and social health needs, contributing to reduced life expectancy. Although lifestyle programmes can promote health and wellbeing, their implementation within non-profit mental health member organisations remains limited. This qualitative descriptive study, reported according to COREQ guidelines, explored experiences of implementing a person-centred lifestyle programme within a member organisation and its potential contribution to health-promoting and recovery-oriented support. Participants took part across two programme cycles and subsequent semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that the organisation provided an important context for implementation by facilitating participation, social connection, and integration of lifestyle-related activities into everyday life. Participants described the programme as providing structure, continuity, and practical opportunities for engaging with lifestyle-related changes, while the group setting offered opportunities for sharing experiences, belonging, hope, and meaning. Implementation challenges included irregular attendance, recruitment difficulties, reliance on key individuals, and the need for continued organisational support and follow-up. The findings suggest that member organisations may provide a complementary community-based context for recovery-oriented and health-promoting support outside formal healthcare. Collaboration between mental health nurses and community-based organisations may offer opportunities to combine professional knowledge with lived experience and extend recovery-oriented health promotion into everyday settings. Future research should examine how such collaborations can be implemented and sustained within organisational and community contexts.