NUTRITION therapy is an underutilised resource to tackle mental health challenges, according to peak body Dietitians Australia, which has just released a new guide offering advice to the healthcare system.
The Dietitians Australia: Nourising the Mind, Body and Brain guide takes an evidence-based approach to offering solutions and integrating nutrition and diet into dealing with mental health.
"Our health care system needs to evolve to manage the often-complex needs of people living with mental health conditions," Dietitians Australia President Tara Diversi said.
Nutrition can help prevent occurrences of mental health conditions and evidence has shown that an unhealthy diet can increase the development of mood and anxiety disorders.
The body has called on the government to offer Aussies access to consultations with dietitians when managing mental health issues.
"Currently there are only limited Medicare item numbers for people with eating disorders and other chronic health conditions to access an Accredited Practising Dietitian for mental health care," emphasised Diversi.
"Mental health conditions cost the economy upwards of $70 billion dollars a year from lost productivity," she added.
"The personal and societal impact cannot be quantified, but is an enormous load for many Australians who live with and support people with mental health conditions."
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