Education and Navigation Programs to Promote Food and Nutrition Security Among People With Serious Mental Illness

Food and nutrition insecurity are major sources of higher morbidity and mortality among people with serious mental illness. Government and nongovernmental organizations have produced multiple strategies to promote food and nutrition security, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food-as-medicine prescriptions, direct-to-consumer food provision, and individualized services that help people learn to use government benefits. The cognitive and social (i.e., diminished interpersonal and problem-solving skills) disabilities of people with serious mental illness, as well as social determinants, are major barriers to engaging in these supports. Research suggests that education and navigation help people to better use these programs and interventions.