Are you HealthRight?

HealthRight organisations are community and health services that are committed to improving the physical health of people with mental illness.

Research shows that people with mental illness in Western Australia are:

  • 2.5x more likely to die from a physical illness than the general population
  • more likely to experience nutritional deficiencies, obesity and diabetes
  • more likely to engage in high risk behaviour such as smoking, alcohol or drug abuse
  • less likely to engage in health-promoting activities such as good diet and exercise 
    (Duty to Care Report, 2001)

More and more people who live with mental illness are proving that with the right support and information they can take control of their lives and seek help, control smoking, eat well, manage alcohol and other drugs, participate in physical activity and the community.

HealthRight organisations play an important role in creating a supportive environment through healthy policy development, raising awareness and providing the right information and support, helping people develop healthy lifestyle skills and encouraging self responsibility in managing physical health.

Guidelines for HealthRight Organisations


Build Healthy Policy
Policies provide guidelines or standards for supporting positive health behaviours. They reinforce the organisation’s commitment to promote good health and set guidelines for clients/participants/staff on what to expect from an organisation around health issues.
 Create Supportive EnvironmentsThis involves providing a physical environment, that supports and encourages healthy behaviours such as quitting smoking, eating nutritious food, managing alcohol and other drugs and engaging in physical activity.
 Provide Physical Health Information Access to up-to-date health information is an important part of building health literacy of clients and creating behaviour change. Information is best given in conjunction with peer support, personal skills training or other complementary strategies.
 Develop Personal Health SkillsBuilding personal skills and motivating individuals to address lifestyle behaviours is an essential part of working towards positive behaviour change.
 Create Opportunities for Social Inclusion and Community ParticipationSocial exclusion is a major factor impacting the health and wellbeing of people with mental illness. HealthRight organisations provide programs and support for social inclusion and participation by linking with established programs and events in the community.

Download full Guidelines for Promoting Physical Health here

More HealthRight Guidelines

Guidelines for Healthy Food Service

Guidelines for Community Inclusion

Read More

Healthy Lifestyles Hostels Project Summary
An example of a HealthRight Organisation promoting better physical health for residents.

HealthRight Honours Page
Organisations that have made a commitment to be HealthRight