InSHAPE Program at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services Tackles Life Expectancy Disparity in Population with Mental Illness
(PHOENIX – March 16, 2020) – Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H), an innovative leader in behavioral health, today announced that InSHAPE, a program designed to address the life expectancy disparity among individuals with mental health challenges, is now offered through Southwest Behavioral & Health Services.
The InSHAPE program was founded in New Hampshire in 2003 after researchers at Dartmouth released the results of a study that demonstrated increasing activity, mood and social confidence improved overall physical health. Collaborating with various behavioral health agencies across the country, the nationally recognized program is now available in 28 states and locally in Maricopa, Coconino and Mohave counties through Southwest Behavioral & Health Services.
“The InSHAPE lifestyle program helps people with serious mental illness and severe obesity lose weight,” said Marcie Herzog, Director – High Risk Populations, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services. “It works by pairing participants with a personal health mentor who is trained in fitness and nutrition, as well as in how to motivate people with mental-health challenges. We’re proud to offer this proven program that addresses a real health challenge.”
Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the United States — 9.8 million, or 4.0 percent —experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities and people with diagnosed serious mental illness are one of the most disadvantaged groups in the United States in terms of life expectancy.
The InSHAPE program follows a recovery philosophy including a personal approach that is self-determined, self-directed and self-managed. Health mentors help identify achievable goals that are set by program participants. Considered a lifestyle program, individuals take what they learn and incorporate it into their everyday routine with the goal that the participants will make long-standing lifestyle changes. Being social and engaged in the community is encouraged and is an important part of the program. Focus areas include: physical fitness, healthy eating, smoking cessation and access to quality healthcare.
Individuals interested in participating in the InSHAPE program must be a member of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services. For more information about the program, visit www.sbhservices.com or call 602-265-8338.
About Southwest Behavioral & Health Services:
Incorporated in 1974 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services provides services in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, rural Maricopa County, Gila, Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai counties. Our Mission: “We inspire people to feel better and reach their potential. Through helping people discover their strengths, we improve our communities.” SB&H offers an array of programs to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve. These include outpatient mental health treatment and psychiatric services including medication monitoring; assistance for persons with addictions; intensive inpatient care for persons in crisis; residential housing, in-home and supported housing services; prevention services, community outreach and school-based counseling; services throughout the lifespan for members with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); and four opioid replacement clinics throughout the state that are working tirelessly to save lives and help alleviate the statewide crisis. More recently, integrated care and value-based contracting have been initiated to offer a more flexible and culturally sensitive approach to clients served and resolve the historical challenges of fragmented care. For more information on SB&H, please visit www.sbhservices.org.
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