TY - JOUR
T1 - Lifestyle psychiatry
T2 - a conceptual framework for application in mental healthcare and support
AU - Deenik, Jeroen
AU - Vermeulen, Jentien M
AU - Teasdale, Scott B.
AU - Schuch, Felipe Barreto
AU - Marx, Wolfgang
AU - Perry, Ben
AU - Diez, Gustavo G
AU - Castellanos, Nazareth
AU - Elshazly, Mohamed
AU - Gatera, Grace
AU - Waugh, Matt
AU - Hepsomali, Piril
AU - Bueno-Antequera, Javier
AU - Borrueco Sánchez, Jesús
AU - Lopez Moral, Alvaro
AU - López-Sánchez, Camilo
AU - Oviedo Caro, Miguel Angel
AU - Dejonge, Melissa
AU - Noortman, Chermaine
AU - van Schothorst, Myrthe
AU - den Bleijker, Natascha
AU - Scrivano, Luana
AU - Noordsy, Douglas L
AU - Fabian, Hannah
AU - Jachyra, Patrick
AU - Chapman, Justin
AU - Merlo, Gia
AU - Manger, Sam
AU - O'neill, Adrienne
AU - Machaczek, Katarzyna Karolina
AU - Ardill-Young, Oliver
AU - Ramírez, Paula
AU - Matthews, Evan
AU - Lambert, Jeffrey
AU - Firth, Josh
AU - Hassan, Lamiece
AU - Jacka, Felice N
AU - Ward, Philip
AU - Stubbs, Brendon
AU - Cahn, Wiepke
AU - Rosenbaum, Simon
AU - Vancampfort, Davy
AU - Firth, Joseph
PY - 2025/11/25
Y1 - 2025/11/25
N2 - Lifestyle-related behaviours-such as sedentary behaviour, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, disrupted sleep and substance use-are increasingly recognised as important factors in the onset and persistence of mental illness. Evidence for the efficacy and cost-efficiency of lifestyle interventions in mental health is growing, and such approaches are now embedded in international guidelines and endorsed by major health organisations and associations as 'lifestyle psychiatry'. Nevertheless, despite this progress, these interventions remain underused in mental healthcare and support. One contributing factor is the lack of a shared conceptual understanding of 'lifestyle psychiatry', which risks fragmented practice, inconsistency in research and uncertainty around its role in policy, care and support. This paper presents a conceptual framework for lifestyle psychiatry, developed through an iterative, collaborative process involving 43 contributors across 15 countries, representing clinical, academic, policy and lived experience expertise. The framework defines core domains, outlines key challenges to behaviour change specific to mental health populations and emphasises multilevel and equity-oriented approaches. It aligns with person-centred and recovery-oriented care and serves as a shared reference point for practical application and future development. With this, we aim to support the structured, context-sensitive integration of lifestyle psychiatry into mental healthcare and support.
AB - Lifestyle-related behaviours-such as sedentary behaviour, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, disrupted sleep and substance use-are increasingly recognised as important factors in the onset and persistence of mental illness. Evidence for the efficacy and cost-efficiency of lifestyle interventions in mental health is growing, and such approaches are now embedded in international guidelines and endorsed by major health organisations and associations as 'lifestyle psychiatry'. Nevertheless, despite this progress, these interventions remain underused in mental healthcare and support. One contributing factor is the lack of a shared conceptual understanding of 'lifestyle psychiatry', which risks fragmented practice, inconsistency in research and uncertainty around its role in policy, care and support. This paper presents a conceptual framework for lifestyle psychiatry, developed through an iterative, collaborative process involving 43 contributors across 15 countries, representing clinical, academic, policy and lived experience expertise. The framework defines core domains, outlines key challenges to behaviour change specific to mental health populations and emphasises multilevel and equity-oriented approaches. It aligns with person-centred and recovery-oriented care and serves as a shared reference point for practical application and future development. With this, we aim to support the structured, context-sensitive integration of lifestyle psychiatry into mental healthcare and support.
KW - Humans
KW - Life Style
KW - Mental Disorders/therapy
KW - Mental Health Services
KW - Psychiatry/methods
U2 - 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301980
DO - 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301980
M3 - Review article
C2 - 41290362
SN - 2755-9734
VL - 28
JO - BMJ Mental Health
JF - BMJ Mental Health
IS - 1
M1 - e301980
ER -
