title: Consensus statement on the role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists within the treatment of mental disorders: a guide for mental health professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim is to identify the role and scope of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services in the mental health sector and to provide insight as to how AEPs can contribute to the multidisciplinary mental health team.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified Delphi approach was utilised. Thirteen AEPs with experience in mental health contributed to the iterative development of a national consensus statement. Six mental health professionals with expertise in psychiatry, mental health nursing, general practice and mental health research participated in the review process. Reviewers were provided with a template to systematically provide feedback on the language, content, structure and relevance to their professional group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This consensus statement outlines how AEPs can contribute to the multidisciplinary mental health team, the aims and scope of AEP-led interventions in mental health services and examples of such interventions, the range of physical and mental health outcomes possible through AEP-led interventions and common referral pathways to community AEP services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AEPs can play a key role in the treatment of individuals experiencing mental illness. The diversity of AEP interventions allows for a holistic approach to care, enhancing both physical and mental health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, and; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia oscar.lederman@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lederman
authors.affiliation: Wellbeing Unit, Macquarie Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grainger
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; St John of God Hospital, North Richmond, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kirrily
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.affiliation: Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perram
authors.affiliation: Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baldeo
authors.affiliation: Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fokas
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, School of Exercise & Nutrition Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nauman
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney, NSW, and; Integrated Care Unit, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semaan
authors.affiliation: Secure Extended Care Unit, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Jude
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hewavasam
authors.affiliation: Headspace, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pontin
authors.affiliation: Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, and; Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012017:Referral and Consultation
keywords: AEP; Accredited Exercise Physiologist; consensus statement; exercise; mental health