Dyslipidaemia is a modifiable cause of increased mortality in patients with mental illness. We described prevalence, aetiology and treatment of dyslipidaemia in patients with mental illness. Patients with mental illness have a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia than the general population due to genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle and/or psychotropic medications. Attention towards early identification of dyslipidaemia, close monitoring, and a low threshold for initiating treatment with lifestyle interventions and lipid-lowering agents are warranted in patients with mental illness.