Excess mortality in severe mental disorder: the need for an integrated approach

Abstract

top of the political agenda, so that patients with severe mental illness get the best services they need, deserve and will utilize. It is imperative that psychiatrists take the lead in identifying the physical health needs of persons with severe mental illness as well as in orienting the public mental health agenda to ensure that cultural norms and values are taken into account when developing and delivering integrated care at all levels. They must work with stakeholders, including service users and their families groups, to ensure that integrated care and services are sensitive to patients’ needs.