Facilitators of Change: Mental Health Staff’s Role in a Lifestyle Programme in Psychiatric Outpatient Care in Northern Sweden

Individuals living with mental disorders are at heightened risk of lifestyle-related health problems and premature mortality. Lifestyle programmes with both individual support and group interactions with a person-centred focus in outpatient psychiatric care may help mitigate these risks. However, mental health staff's experiences of implementing such programmes remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mental health staff in facilitating a person-centred lifestyle programme within psychiatric outpatient care. Using a descriptive qualitative design, 10 mental health staff educated to group leaders were interviewed in semi-structured formats following their delivery of a 12-session lifestyle programme. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Three main categories emerged: <i>Programme planning and implementation</i>, <i>Programme content and structure,</i> and <i>A supportive relationship</i>. Subcategories addressed challenges, such as lack of preparation time, organisational barriers, and the need for programme adaptation. The findings suggest that aligning lifestyle programmes with person-centred care emphasising both empathy and structure can enhance participants' health while fostering professional fulfilment among staff. To ensure long-term sustainability, enhanced organisational support and integration into routine practice are recommended.