Mental Health and Palliative Care Literature Review

This literature review was carried out to explore the extent and nature of palliative care for people with pre-existing mental health problems. The increased prevalence of terminal illness in those with mental health problems, and the growing number of people with mental health problems living in the community makes research into the palliative care needs of this population especially relevant.

The review initially examines literature on the increased incidence of physical illness that may require palliative care among those with mental health problems and the difficulties associated with treating physical illness in this population. It then reviews the literature on palliative care for people with severe and enduring mental health problems (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe clinical depression). Lastly, literature on anorexia nervosa and palliative care and end-of-life care for people with dementia was reviewed.