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Resources

Guidelines and Tools for Triaging Mental Health Consumers into Exercise

Picture of triage framework files

A recent project explored strategies to triage patients into exercise therapy within hospital based mental health care and as part of the expert consensus a number of tools were developed for use by exercise professionals and mental health services.

These tools are available free of charge via the links below:

 

Please cite authors for any use: McMahen, C., Wright, K., Jackson, B., Stanton, R., Lederman, O., McKeon, G., Rosenbaum, S., & Furzer, B. (2024). The implementation of exercise therapy within hospital-based mental healthcare: Delphi study. BJPsych Open, 10(5), Article e147.

Pre-Exercise Screening for Young People

In collaboration with Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), AusActive and Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), a team of experts and exercise professionals led by MHEX Lead (A/Prof Bonnie Furzer), developed a Pre-Exercise Screening System for Young People.

It is designed to minimise the risk of injuries associated with participating in exercise and physical activity and includes Screening Tools for both parents and young people, as well as a User Guide.

  • Download tools
  • Methodology in development of tool and evaluation available upon request.

Publications

2024
  • Austin, F., Wright, K., Jackson, B., Lin, A., Schweizer, K., & Furzer, B. (2024). A scoping review of trans and gender diverse children and adolescents’ experiences of physical activity, sport, and exercise participation. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 26, Article 100576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100576
  • Buist, B., Kramer, B., Wright, K., Edwards, P., Petrofes, A., & Furzer, B. (2024). “It’s a Very Good Second Option”: Older Adults’ Experience of Telehealth. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 21(7), 668-674. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2023-0176
  • McMahen, C., Wright, K., Jackson, B., Stanton, R., Lederman, O., McKeon, G., Rosenbaum, S., & Furzer, B. (2024). The implementation of exercise therapy within hospital-based mental healthcare: Delphi study. BJPsych Open, 10(5), Article e147. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.717
  • Simpson, A., Teague, S., Kramer, B., Lin, A., Thornton, A. L., Budden, T., Furzer, B., Jeftic, I., Dimmock, J., Rosenberg, M., & Jackson, B. (2024). Physical activity interventions for the promotion of mental health outcomes in at-risk children and adolescents: a systematic review. Health Psychology Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2024.2391787
2023
  • Almarjawi, A., Wright, K., Buist, B., Cairney, J., Ton, T., & Furzer, B. (2023). Reliability of Fitness Assessments in Children With Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties. Pediatric Exercise Science, 35(4), 206-213. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2022-0058
  • Austin, F., Wright, K., Jackson, B., McMahen, C., Budden, T., & Furzer, B. (2023). They Are More Than a Friend… We Are Family: Exploring the Experiences of Individuals with Severe Mental Illness in Exercise Services. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57(1), 42-42.
  • Budden, T., Hafizuddin, A., Dimmock, J. A., Law, K. H., Furzer, B. J., & Jackson, B. (2023). Support needs and experiences of young people living in families with mental illness. Journal of Adolescence, 95(4), 784-796. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12153
  • Jeftic, I., Furzer, B., Dimmock, J., Wright, K., Budden, T., Boyd, C., Simpson, A., Rosenberg, M., Sabiston, C., & Jackson, B. (2023). An exercise service for university students experiencing mental illness: A feasibility study of the Stride program. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 45, S85-S85.
  • Jeftic, I., Furzer, B., Dimmock, J., Wright, K., Boyd, C., Budden, T., Rosenberg, M., Kramer, B., Buist, B., Fitzpatrick, I., Sabiston, C., de Jonge, M., & Jackson, B. (2023). Structured exercise programs for higher education students experiencing mental health challenges: Background, significance, and implementation. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1104918. Article 1104918. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1104918
  • Jeftic, I., Furzer, B., Dimmock, J., Wright, K., Budden, T., Boyd, C., Simpson, A., Rosenberg, M., Sabiston, C., de Jonge, M., & Jackson, B. (2023). The stride program: Feasibility and pre-to-post program change of an exercise service for university students experiencing mental distress. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 69, Article 102507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102507
  • McKeon, G., Fitzgerald, C., Furzer, B., Rosenbaum, S., Stanton, R., Lederman, O., Harvey, S., & Wright, K. (2023). A qualitative exploration of the experience and attitudes of exercise professionals using telehealth for people with mental illness. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 18(1), 14-29. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2021-0084
  • Schweizer, K., Austin, F., Wright, K., Lin, A., Bickendorf, X., Jackson, B., Strauss, P., Gurevich, H., Granger, C., Luke, J., & Furzer, B. (2023). Physical activity behaviors in trans and gender diverse adults: a scoping review. International Journal of Transgender Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2023.2284772
  • Simpson, A., Kramer, B., Budden, T., Jeftic, I., Furzer, B., Thornton, A., Lin, A.-L., Dimmock, J., Rosenberg, M., & Jackson, B. (2023). Sport and physical activity for the promotion of mental health outcomes in children at risk of mental illness: A systematic review. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 45, S115-S115.
  • Wright, K., Jackson, B., Licari, M., Dimmock, J., & Furzer, B. (2023). Thriving families: The feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multi-component physical literacy program for children with neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioural problems. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 25, Article 100558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100558
2022
  • Fortnum, K., Reid, S., Elliott, C., Furzer, B., Wong, J., & Jackson, B. (2022). Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: A qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(5), 724-743. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2021.1961848
  • McMahen, C., Wright, K., Stanton, R., Lederman, O., Rosenbaum, S., McKeon, G., & Furzer, B. (2022). Outcome assessments used in studies examining the effect of prescribed exercise interventions for people living with severe mental illness, a scoping review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 22, Article 100438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100438
  • Wright, K., Rosenbaum, S., & Furzer, B. (2022). Mental Health and Illness. In A. Scott, & D. Broom (Eds.), Exercise Management for Referred Medical Conditions (pp. 447-475). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315102399-20
2021
  • Furzer, B., Rebar, A. L., Dimmock, J., More, A., Thornton, A., Wright, K., Colthart, A., & Jackson, B. (2021). Exercise is medicine … when you enjoy it: exercise enjoyment, relapse prevention efficacy, and health outcomes for youth within a drug and alcohol treatment service. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 52, Article 101800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101800
  • Furzer, B. J., Wright, K. E., Edoo, A., & Maiorana, A. (2021). Move your mind: embedding accredited exercise physiology services within a hospital-based mental health service. Australasian Psychiatry: bulletin of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 29(1), 52-56. https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856220943030
  • Lederman, O., Furzer, B., Wright, K., McKeon, G., & Rosenbaum, S. (2021). Recommendations for exercise practitioners delivering telehealth services: mental health considerations. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 10(1), 20-28. https://doi.org/10.31189/2165-7629-10.1.20
Pre-2020
  • Wright, K. E., Furzer, B. J., Licari, M. K., Dimmock, J. A., Jackson, B., & Thornton, A. L. (2020). Exploring associations between neuromuscular performance, hypermobility, and children’s motor competence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(11), 1080-1085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.06.007
  • Wright, K. E., Furzer, B. J., Licari, M. K., Dimmock, J. A., & Jackson, B. (2020). The effect of parental logistic support on physical activity in children with, or at risk of, movement difficulties. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(4), 372-376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.10.005
  • Fibbins, H., Lederman, O., Morell, R., Furzer, B., Wright, K., & Stanton, R. (2019). Incorporating exercise professionals in mental health settings: An Australian perspective. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 8(1), 21-25. https://doi.org/10.31189/2165-6193-8.1.21
  • Wright, K., Furzer, B., Licari, M., Thornton, A., Dimmock, J., Naylor, L., Reid, S., Kwan, S., & Jackson, B. (2019). Physiological characteristics, self-perceptions, and parental support of physical activity in children with, or at risk of, developmental coordination disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 84, 66-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2018.05.013
  • Fortnum, K., Furzer, B., Reid, S., Jackson, B., & Elliott, C. (2018). The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: A scoping review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 95-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.001
  • Furzer, B., Bebich-Philip, M., Wright, K., Reid, S., & Thornton, A. (2018). Reliability and Validity of the adapted Resistance Training Skills Battery for Children. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(8), 822-827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.12.010
  • More, A., Jackson, B., Dimmock, J., Thornton, A., Colthart, A., & Furzer, B. (2018). “It’s like a counselling session… but you don’t need to say anything:” Exercise program outcomes for youth within a drug and alcohol treatment service. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 39, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.07.002
  • More, A., Jackson, B., Dimmock, J., Thornton, A., Colthart, A., & Furzer, B. (2017). Exercise in the Treatment of Youth Substance Use Disorders: Review and Recommendations. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(OCT), Article 1839. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01839
  • Bebich-Philip, M. D., Thornton, A. L., Reid, S. L., Wright, K. E., & Furzer, B. J. (2016). Adaptation of the resistance training skills battery for use in children across the motor proficiency spectrum. Pediatric Exercise Science, 28(3), 473-480. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2015-0216
  • Furzer, B., Ackland, T., Wallman, K., Petterson, A. S., Gordon, S., Wright, K., & Joske, D. (2016). A randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise versus usual care on outcomes in haematological cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(4), 1697-1707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2955-7
  • Furzer, B., Petterson, A. S., Wright, K., Wallman, K., Ackland, T., & Joske, D. (2014). Positive patient experiences in an Australian integrative oncology centre. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14, 8pp. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-158
  • Furzer, B., Wright, K., Petterson, A. S., Wallman, K., Ackland, T., & Joske, D. (2013). Characteristics and quality of life of patients presenting to cancer support centres: Patient rated outcomes and use of complementary therapies. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, 7pp. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-169

Grants

  • 2024-2026 Healthway Research Grant, Supporting sport participation of young people with chronic conditions; $74,995
  • 2024 – 2026 MRFF – K Pang et al.; Improving health outcomes via the Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children; MRFF 2023 Models of Care for Sexuality & Gender Diverse People & People with Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics; $4.9MIL 
  • 2023 – 2026 Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Inclusive Participation Grant ($300,000) and Stan Perron Community Grant ($300,000) – “Youth Moves: inclusive, community-based active recreation program for disengaged and/or vulnerable WA adolescents and young people (12-25yrs)”
  • 2023-2025 Medibank Strategic Support Fund – UNSW ($140,000) – “Feasibility evidence and program expansion of an on-campus exercise program for students with mental health problems”
  • 2013-2023, Telethon7 Trust Grants, including:
    • Thriving @UWA Building strong and healthy young people through exercise (Service grants)
    • Auditory processing and rhythmic exercise (Research Grant)
    • Thriving Mental Health First Aid Training (Service)
    • Move it for Mental Health (Service)
  • 2022 – 2023 IgnitED Seed Funding, Australian Government National Leadership in Mental Health Program–National Eating Disorder Research Centre ($25,000)  – “Eating and Exercise Behaviours in Trans People”
  • 2022 Healthway Healthy Communities Grant, ‘Thriving in Motion – Movement for Trans Young People’ ($96,393)
  • 2020-2022 UWA Student Life & Medibank Strategic Support Fund ‘Stride: An on-campus Exercise Referral Program for Students with Mental Health Difficulties’ ($83,000)
  • 2017-2019 Commonwealth Bank Community Grant ($39,600) “Thriving – Drug & Alcohol Youth Services Exercise Collaboration”
  • 2016 Exercise and Sport Science Australia – Clinical Exercise Physiology Grant ($16,000) “Evaluating changes in physical activity behaviours of children undergoing a physical literacy intervention utilizing parent coaches”

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The MHEX team acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

We are committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination through education and inclusive communities. We welcome all people and are respectful of individual identities.