Social Prescribing for People Living with Severe Mental Illnesses
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Access to social prescribing among people living with severe mental illnesses: A mixed methods feasibility study
IRAS ID
344450
Contact name
Alexandra Burton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 0 days
Research summary
People with severe mental illnesses (SMI) including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart disease and stroke). Reasons include low engagement in exercise, loneliness, stress and difficulties accessing physical health care. Previous research in healthcare settings aimed at improving their physical health has been unsuccessful and different ways of preventing heart attacks/strokes in people with SMI are needed. Social prescribing aims to improve both physical and mental health. It involves a healthcare professional referring a patient to a link worker who then refers the patient to community activities such as art, community gardening, volunteering and leisure. There is evidence to suggest that people with SMI are being excluded from social prescribing or find it difficult to access or engage with it.
The study aims to:
1. Develop a training and resource package to support link workers to work more confidently with people with SMI.
2. Assess the acceptability, feasibility and uptake of social prescribing among people with SMI following delivery of this training package.
3. Explore the potential for social prescribing to impact the physical, mental and social health of people with SMI and the mechanisms through which this is achieved.
4. Explore barriers and facilitators to accessing social prescribing among people with SMI.
The findings will be used to make recommendations for adapting social prescribing so that people with SMI find it easier to access it.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
26/WA/0042
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion