The effectiveness of a home based 'Healthy Living' program in improving the dietary and exercise behaviours of people living with severe and enduring mental health conditions.

The intervention will include 6 x 1 hour face to face counselling and education sessions with an Occupational Therapist that will be focussed on assisting participants to develop and follow through on their own lifestyle goals through use of the ’12 weeks to a Healthier Life’ planner (Swap it don’t Stop it, Australian Government, 2011). The number and frequency of sessions with the Occupational Therapists will be reduced over the 12 week program (6 visits in total). However, participants will also receive weekly phone calls and daily texts to remind them to wear their pedometers and monitor their 'step' goals. Clinicians and NGO support workers will work alongside consumers in between each session wit the Occupational Therapist to follow through on strategies identified. Physical activity goals will focus on: 1) replacing sedentary leisure activities with more active leisure activities and 2) performing more incidental and structured physical activity like walking during every day activities. Dietary goals will focus on 1) replacing the intake of foods high in saturated fat, added sugar, sodium and alcohol with healthier lower energy options and 2) providing guidance on appropriate quantities of each food group based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Strategies will be individualised and although primarily home based may include referrals to established group exercise programs and or sessions with a dietician. Group education sessions will be run for clinical staff and NGO support workers to ensure long term support for participants in lifestyle goals.