People with mental illnesses live up to 18 years fewer than the general population, studies find.

Around one-fifth of the world’s population live with mental illness.

People with mental illnesses live up to 18 years fewer than the general population, studies find.

The reason, though, is not suicide.

In fact, people with mental illness tend to take worse care of their physical health.

For example, people with mental illnesses are at twice the risk of developing diabetes.

Lack of motivation, side-effects from treatments and other lifestyle factors raises the risk of many physical diseases.

People with mental health problems are more likely to smoke, lead a sedentary lifestyle and consume a poor diet.

Unfortunately, patients’ physical health is often overlooked by mental health professionals, research finds.