The Facts

About a quarter of the world’s population will suffer some kind of mental health disorder during their lifetime. Some disorders, such as depression and Alzheimer’s, are increasing significantly, and exacting an enormous (and increasing) individual, social, and economic cost.

Mental health disorders and wellbeing are often intimately linked to lifestyle choices—such as exercise, diet, relationships, time in nature, spiritual practices, and service to others.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Evidence shows that Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLCs) can help prevent and treat many psychological disorders—including anxiety, depression, and age related cognitive loss—and can enhance wellbeing in everyone. TLCs can be just as powerful as drugs for preventing and treating some mental health disorders and for enhancing wellbeing.

Yet the importance of lifestyle for mental health is little appreciated in our culture, and only a small minority of mental health practitioners emphasizes TLCs.