Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) is estimated to affect 14% of the population and is a term used to describe mental illnesses with complex symptoms that require ongoing treatment and management. SPMI contributes to decreased quality of life and is linked to increased disability and poor health outcomes. People with SPMI can expect to live up to 25 years less than the general population with the vast majority of the gap in life expectancy being accounted for by physical illness (De Hert et al., 2011).