Keeping the Body in Mind

Keeping the Body In Mind-primary (KBIM-p) is a CESPHN-funded physical health service for individuals living with severe mental illness. The service includes an exercise physiologist, dietitian, nicotine treatment specialist and peer worker and operates out of the UNSW Health Translation Hub.

KBIM-p offers telehealth services when in-person support is not easily available. Participants in this program can access the following services within a 12-week period, at no cost:

• Up to 6 sessions each with:
  • An exercise physiologist
  • A dietician
  • A nicotine treatment specialist
• Access to group cooking and exercise sessions
• Access to sessions with a peer support worker

The KBIM-p service includes:

• Personalised Exercise Programs: Provision of one-on-one and group physical activity programs that are flexible and tailored to each person’s needs and preferences.
• Nutrition Support: Individualised dietitian consultations consisting of nutrition education, goal setting, and personalised dietary advice, as well as cooking groups for building budgets, developing kitchen skills and preparing balanced meals at home.
• Nicotine Cessation: A dedicated nicotine treatment specialist provides comprehensive assessments and tailored support for smoking and vaping cessation.
• Peer Support: The mental health peer worker offers ongoing support with maintaining health and lifestyle goals. Through the lens of lived experience, the peer worker helps foster motivation and empowerment, and ensures clients feel heard and understood as they overcome barriers to creating positive change.
• Patient-Centred Approach: The KBIM-p program emphasises participant-led goal setting and barrier identification, ensuring clients are actively engaged in their health journey.

Eligibility criteria

• Experience severe mental illness, such as a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder; diagnosis of major depressive disorder with psychosis symptoms; or taking antipsychotics
• Not currently accessing care through a public mental health service
• Reside within the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region
• Aged between 18-75 years

Referrals

GPs or mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, support workers) can refer to this service.

To refer someone who meets the eligibility criteria, please complete the referral form online via this link.

If you have any further questions, please contact the team:

• Sam, Peer Worker: 0401 418 873
• Shruti, Nicotine Treatment Specialist: 0403 611 747
• Simon, Exercise Physiologist: 0401 979 228
• Lucy, Dietician: 0488 096 084