Course Overview
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach that incorporates nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mind-body practices, substance reduction, social prescribing, and fostering connections. These elements can then be combined with behaviour change techniques, health coaching and digital health to prevent and treat disease, promoting comprehensive well-being.
This NHS Pilot course is designed as an introduction to the emerging research on how dietary and lifestyle interventions are benefiting patients with mental health conditions in various community settings. In addition, it shows the benefits of these interventions for prevention of mental health and other physical health conditions. The course provides foundational knowledge on nutritional science, dietetic principles, neuroscience, physiology and social science related to this field. This theory is then combined with introductory level teaching on how to have behaviour change conversations with patients, simple accurate lifestyle advice and signposting to relevant Cornwall community services. This will be a great first step in taking a cost effective and innovative way to treat mental health conditions and promote whole-person wellbeing within the trust.
As an introductory course tailored for a diverse group of healthcare professionals with varying clinical expertise, it provides a broad overview of each topic.
This introductory knowledge gained will serve as a reference point for further training in the practical application when in consultations with patients, creating shared management plans, discussing with colleagues or referring patients to the community, some of these practical points will be covered in this introductory course.
For those interested in deepening their knowledge and honing their communication skills, Nutritank offers additional webinars that explore these topics in greater detail hosted on our website. Nutritank is currently developing further advanced courses on this topic, launching in 2025.
Target Audience
The course is designed for health professionals working in NHS services that provide mental health and community care, such as psychiatrists, general practitioners, allied health professionals, nursing staff, community workers, and peer support workers. It is also relevant for social prescribers and health coaches. The course is also relevant for staff’s own mental health and wellbeing.
Aim
NHS practitioners will be more confident to provide evidence-based health promoting information to their patients which is effective as prevention and management of mental health conditions. The course may also serve as a source of evidence-based information that may activate staff to improve their own health and well-being.
Developed by:
Medical clinicians, psychiatrists, registered nutritionists, dietitians, course user experience experts and those with lived experience of mental health conditions
Modules 1-12
Module 1: Course Introduction: The Importance of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health
Module 2: Examining the Relationship Between Dietary Patterns, the Psychology of Eating, and Mental Health
Module 3: Dietary Management of Mental Health Disorders
Module 4: Medication & Nutrient Interactions in Management of Mental Health Disorders
Module 5: Eating Disorders and Co-existing Mental Health conditions
Module 6: Exploring Interplay Between Addiction and Nutrition and Mental Health
Module 7: Exercise, Movement and Mental Health
Module 8: Stress Management and Mental Health
Module 9: Sleep and Mental Health
Module 10: Social Connection and Mental Health
Module 11: Diet and Lifestyle Factors in Children and Adolescent Mental Health
Module 12: Consultation skills in Lifestyle medicine: Translating your Knowledge into Action
