Impact of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts on Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Patient-Centered Perspective

ABSTRACT In response to COVID-19 mitigation policies, mental health and social service agencies have had to rapidly change their operations, creating challenges for patients with serious mental illness (SMI). This study aimed to explore the experiences of adults with SMI navigating these altered systems during the pandemic. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 hospitalized adults with SMI in the fall of 2020; they were coded using thematic analysis. Most participants found the new systems effective at meeting their essential needs. However, several reported significant unmet needs, including inability to access mental health care and public benefits. These participants lacked identification documents, housing, and/or a personal device. Although none of the participants used telemedicine before COVID-19, most reported no or minimal problems with telemental health. Those reporting difficulties did not have personal devices, were receiving audio-only services, or viewed telemedicine as less personal or too distracting.