Proper nutrition is imperative to good mental health.
Unfortunately, mental health issues such as substance use disorder, and many others can lead to poor nutrition and a number of side effects as a result. Here at Comprehensive Care Clinic, we understand the importance of providing nutritional assessments and consultations to mental health patients who may benefit from these programs. This way, we provide proper care and education to patients who may be experiencing symptoms or concurring health issues as a result of nutritional choices.
The Importance of Nutritional Assessments
We know that people diagnosed with mental health issues are at higher risks for concurring health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. And, that these issues, stemming from a lack of nutritional knowledge and use, lead to higher mortality rates among these individuals compared to the general public. Furthermore, we know that substance abuse issues are commonly paired with nutritional deficiencies.
In order to provide individuals with their best chance of successful healing, nutritional assessments allow for the consultation and education of patients who may need guidance about how nutrition is affecting their health and how to use nutrition for proper nourishment.
What a Nutritional Assessment Entails
Nutritional assessments are conducted prior to any counseling or treatment services as the assessment is key in determining which types of treatments and therapies may be helpful. In other words, nutritional assessments are beneficial in the long term as they can specify precise methods and treatments may be best utilized for individuals who may be experiencing nutritional deficiencies or symptoms of poor nutrition.
During a nutritional assessment, we measure a person’s nutritional status by asking questions and accumulating information like:
- A person’s medical and psychiatric treatment history
- Medications a person may be taking that can lead to nutritional side effects
- Lifestyle choices
- Personal religion or cultural credences which may affect nutritious intake
- Food allergies
- Specific food aversions and their reasonings
- Co-occurring mental or medical health issues which may affect diet
The Goals of Nutritional Assessments
The primary goal of nutritional assessments is simple – to get people dealing with mental health issues physically healthy. This way, they can gain the most out of the treatments and therapeutic services offered in our care. And, go on to live a healthier lifestyle in the future so they don’t experience the symptoms of poor nutrition again.
Some goals of nutritional assessments include:
- Obtaining information about malnourishment quickly and efficiently in order to provide nutritional help as soon as possible.
- To determine the nutritional deficiencies, abnormalities, or malnutrition of a person so the best available treatment and medication can be selected.
- To acquire enough information to help make a psychological or medical diagnosis.
- Providing a baseline to data, aiding in the monitoring of nutritional adjustments throughout treatment.
Nutritional Consultations at Comprehensive Care Clinic
Once nutritional assessments are complete, nutritional consultations allow for patients to better understand their nutritional status. And, begin to learn more about what types of treatments, medications, or therapies may be best to help. Furthermore, these consultations will provide individuals with information about changes they may need to make regarding food intake amount, types of foods to eat, and methods on managing proper nutrition.
Get Nutrition Help from Comprehensive Care Clinic
Proper nutrition is vital to feeling and doing our best. So, making sure people in our care understand and practice healthy nutrition is an important part of how we help people recover from mental health issues.
Learn more about all the mental health services we offer right on our website. Have questions about our nutritional assessments or consultations? Contact us today.