The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Severe Mental Illness and on Mental Health Service Provision in South Asia (IMPASS)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Health Science
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected lives and challenged access to healthcare in many low and middle income countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at particularly high risk of being affected, as are mental health services. SMI refers to illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that affect people's thinking (often experiencing delusions and hallucinations) and severely reduce their life chances. This study builds on our existing collaborations and research set-up in South Asia, to deliver:
1. A survey in people with SMI, and interviews with them and their families to explore understanding and response to public health advice, and the pandemic's impact on health, behaviours e.g. smoking, access to healthcare, security, income and quality of life.
2. Surveys at mental health hospitals and staff interviews to explore impacts on mental health services.
3. Workshops with key stakeholders to jointly produce research questions that are important to them, and interpret findings.
We have already established 'Community Panels' comprising people with SMI and advocacy organisations, who will advise on the research. We will also strengthen expertise in the research team and policy makers to make use of research findings in practice.
Findings will inform approaches to reduce the impact of the current and future pandemics, and be of value to people with SMI, health providers and policy makers in South Asia and other LMIC. They will be publicised using print and social media, reports, TV & radio and academic journals.
1. A survey in people with SMI, and interviews with them and their families to explore understanding and response to public health advice, and the pandemic's impact on health, behaviours e.g. smoking, access to healthcare, security, income and quality of life.
2. Surveys at mental health hospitals and staff interviews to explore impacts on mental health services.
3. Workshops with key stakeholders to jointly produce research questions that are important to them, and interpret findings.
We have already established 'Community Panels' comprising people with SMI and advocacy organisations, who will advise on the research. We will also strengthen expertise in the research team and policy makers to make use of research findings in practice.
Findings will inform approaches to reduce the impact of the current and future pandemics, and be of value to people with SMI, health providers and policy makers in South Asia and other LMIC. They will be publicised using print and social media, reports, TV & radio and academic journals.
Technical Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected lives and challenged healthcare provision. Those with severe mental illness (SMI; e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) are likely to be disproportionately affected.
Aims & objectives: Investigate impact of the pandemic and its response on people with SMI and on mental health care in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Specifically, for people with SMI, to:
a.Explore receipt and response to advice about preventing spread of Covid-19 b.Understand impact on well-being, health, health risk behaviours, quality of life; access to/receipt of mental & physical healthcare; housing and food security, domestic violence, employment, income
c.Explore impacts on mental health care
d.Inform strategies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on people with SMI and healthcare services.
Methods: Using our existing research collaborations and infrastructure, including a current SMI cohort, we will conduct:1.Quarterly surveys of people with SMI (N=>2K). 2.Semi- structured telephone interviews with patients (N=15-20), families (N=5-10) and mental healthcare workers (N=15-20) in each country. 3.Mental health facility surveys repeated 6- monthly. 4.Joint stakeholder workshops, to present emerging findings, receive feedback and iteratively co-design survey/interview questions, ensuring they are responsive to the evolving pandemic and policy context. Outputs will inform planning to mitigate impact for current and future waves of Covid-19 and other similar epidemics.
People with SMI, their families and advocacy organisations will be involved at all stages. We will build capacity in applied research and leadership through experiential learning and training.
Impact & dissemination: A Working Group (with patients, families, practitioners and policy makers), and stakeholder workshops will co-produce a targeted, rapid dissemination strategy, including e.g. policy briefs, print/social media, radio/TV and journal articles, using Theory of Change principles.
Aims & objectives: Investigate impact of the pandemic and its response on people with SMI and on mental health care in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Specifically, for people with SMI, to:
a.Explore receipt and response to advice about preventing spread of Covid-19 b.Understand impact on well-being, health, health risk behaviours, quality of life; access to/receipt of mental & physical healthcare; housing and food security, domestic violence, employment, income
c.Explore impacts on mental health care
d.Inform strategies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on people with SMI and healthcare services.
Methods: Using our existing research collaborations and infrastructure, including a current SMI cohort, we will conduct:1.Quarterly surveys of people with SMI (N=>2K). 2.Semi- structured telephone interviews with patients (N=15-20), families (N=5-10) and mental healthcare workers (N=15-20) in each country. 3.Mental health facility surveys repeated 6- monthly. 4.Joint stakeholder workshops, to present emerging findings, receive feedback and iteratively co-design survey/interview questions, ensuring they are responsive to the evolving pandemic and policy context. Outputs will inform planning to mitigate impact for current and future waves of Covid-19 and other similar epidemics.
People with SMI, their families and advocacy organisations will be involved at all stages. We will build capacity in applied research and leadership through experiential learning and training.
Impact & dissemination: A Working Group (with patients, families, practitioners and policy makers), and stakeholder workshops will co-produce a targeted, rapid dissemination strategy, including e.g. policy briefs, print/social media, radio/TV and journal articles, using Theory of Change principles.
Organisations
- University of York (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Institute for Health Research (Co-funder)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) (Collaboration)
- KEELE UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- ARK Foundation Bangladesh (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Collaboration)
- University of Dundee (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Bangladesh (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- Pakistan Psychiatric Society (Project Partner)
- Ministry of Health & Welfare, Bangladesh (Project Partner)
- Min of Nat Health Services (Pakistan) (Project Partner)
- Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (Project Partner)
- Institute of Psychiatry & Behv Sciences (Project Partner)
Publications
Afzal M
(2021)
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in People With Severe Mental Illness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
in Frontiers in endocrinology
Appuhamy K
(2023)
Risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in people with severe mental illness in South Asia: cross-sectional study in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan
in Journal of Nutritional Science
Rajan S
(2023)
Tobacco use in people with severe mental illness: Findings from a multi-country survey of mental health institutions in South Asia.
in Tobacco induced diseases
Rajan S
(2022)
Knowledge and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in People With Severe Mental Illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
in Frontiers in psychiatry
Title | Access to care and breakdown the stigma associated with Mental Health |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/pfbid0y4J5395vhhVdQQJ5Mo7DYR9j6BNSh61N8Ci4Uzt6tCNZCB... |
Title | Approaches to minimise pandemic impact and benefit SMI people |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/ |
Title | Highligting the importance of mental health awareness |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://twitter.com/impassproject/status/1632652234650705925/photo/1 |
Title | Integrating mental and physical health in Pakistan |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://twitter.com/impassproject/status/1632818327855968256/photo/1 |
Title | Integrating smoking cessation services as a routine care for SMI people |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://twitter.com/impassproject/status/1633407212537143297/photo/1 |
Title | Mental health a critical issue affecting communities globally |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/pfbid0ogsACfXP8rDPizxknWVSRR2xdLmH7QJEPtYWv7aaYCoSYd... |
Title | Mental health impacts daily functioning and requires ongoing support for SMI people. |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/pfbid0tzqZiBsq8ppQv2tCTAHrTiGhS5FZ8ExGTiRn2QiHisMKYb... |
Title | Mitigate the impact of Pandemic and its response on mental health |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/ |
Title | Prevalance of Depression and anxiety and other mental health conditions |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/pfbid0q6t8gsL8LhC3GT6pVune7cwZp9RtJ4estG9NtTrz59JbLR... |
Title | Promoting COVID 19 vaccine for people with SMI |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://twitter.com/impassproject/status/1632259648358342656/photo/1 |
Title | Stigma associaated to mental health and inequality to provide mental health services |
Description | Mental health awareness digital campaign showcasing IMPASS project outcomes. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Highlighting the mental health importance in the general public and disseminating the IMPASS project outcomes. |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/theimpassproject/posts/pfbid02EpGrHhxvBk13USnwF9f8eo2fbmiyhJQ1nyMbgXVbf9AdB... |
Description | 1st Stakeholder workshop-IMPASS |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The stakeholder's workshop resulted in creating awareness for the policymakers and building a consensus on being more prepared and designing more inclusive and suitable policies for any such pandemics in future. |
URL | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g2z-CzY2BeFZeToFMrx5xgb5fA-V2SFa/view?usp=sharing |
Description | Community Advisory panel workshop |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | CAP workshop led to suggestions made by patients and their caregivers for the Stakeholder workshop to which policymakers were invited. CAP workshop brief summary was provided to Policy makers. |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | ARK Foundation Bangladesh |
Country | Bangladesh |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | Keele University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) |
Department | LSE Health and Social Care |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Bangladesh |
Country | Bangladesh |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences |
Country | India |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | University of Dundee |
Department | Community Health Sciences Division |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IMPASS |
Organisation | University of York |
Department | Department of Health Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Led the collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The following external collaborators contribute to the IMPASS project, Prof. Kamran Siddiqi , Dr. Helen Elsey, Dr. Hannah Jennings University of York,Prof. Saeed Farooq Keele University & Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Prof. David McDaid London School of Economics & Political Science, Dr. Jan Boehnke University of Dundee,Prof. Pratima Murthy, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences India,Dr. Rumana Haque ARK Foundation, Bangladesh,Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh University of York, UK |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary and includes expertise from psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, physical and mental health comorbidity experts and health economists. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | 23rd International Psychiatry Conference: Symposium on Mental & Physical Co Morbidity among Severe Mental Illness in South Asia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 23rd Psychiatry International Conference - 26 November 2022. IMPASS project was presented by one of our research team members(research assistant). The topic of the presentation was: Investigating the impact of COVID 19 and its response on people with severe mental illness in south AsiaThis conference provided the opportunity to showcase the research work to improve the current practice of mental health and well-being by focusing on developments and the latest trends in research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | WPA Thematic Congress 11th- 13th March,2022:Creating a Centre for Global Health Research & Development in a Low Middle Income Country How & Why |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | WPA thematic Congress is held annually to provide a global forum to mental health professionals, policymakers, patients, carers, regulatory body members and students. This conference gives an opportunity to discuss local learnings and experiences that might be translated and used in their own communities and to showcase the research work, disseminate results and develop an interest in future research work. The presentation was given by the programme manager IMPASS. Topic: Overview of IMPASS project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |