Using experience‐based co‐design for the development of physical activity provision in rehabilitation and recovery mental health care

Despite advances in recovery focused mental health care, people with severe mental illness (SMI) experience multiple physical comorbidity compounded by unhealthy lifestyle behaviours including low levels of physical activity (Vancampfort et al. 2017; Walker et al. 2015). Responding to this, international policy is moving to include physical activity as part of fundamental care for people with severe mental illness (Pratt et al. 2016; Richardson et al. 2005). Incorporation of physical activity into mental health service provision should adopt an approach that is in keeping with best practice, recovery orientated guidelines of mental health service provision, with particular consideration shown to incorporating service users as partners in care plan development and delivery (Department of Health, 2001; Department of Health and Children, 2006). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.