Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) is partnering with Seamless Care Pharmacy to offer a series of free clinics to screen for metabolic syndrome. Individuals living with mental illness are particularly at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and other serious illnesses including diabetes.
Beginning in September 2010, a series of free clinics will be open to DMHS clients and anyone living with mental illness in the community. Once a potential risk is identified, people can begin to manage their health by becoming more active, eating a nutritious diet and receiving appropriate health care. The program is intended to increase chronic disease prevention and early intervention in physical health issues for people with mental illness living in the community.
For more information, including a schedule for the first two clinics, see the press release, “Durham Mental Health Services and Seamless Care Pharmacy Announce Free Metabolic Syndrome Screening Clinics,” July 7, 2010, available at www.dmhs.ca, or visit the Durham Mental Health Services website at www.dmhs.ca.
For more information about physical health and mental illness, see CMHA Ontario’s policy papers, “Recommendations for Preventing and Managing Co-Existing Chronic Physical Conditions and Mental Illnesses,” August 2008, available at www.ontario.cmha.ca/policy, and “What Is the Fit Between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Ontario’s Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention and Management?” August 2008, available at www.ontario.cmha.ca/backgrounders.