Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on access to psychological therapy among young adults with at-risk-mental-state of psychosis

Timely and appropriate treatment for individuals with at-risk mental states (ARMS) can help delay or prevent the onset of psychosis, and those engaging in psychological therapies at an early stage have been shown to have improved outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on mental health and service provision globally, and those with ARMS are particularly vulnerable to the challenges associated with lockdown such as social isolation and disruption in routine. Studies prior to the pandemic already highlighted difficulties with accessing and engaging with services amongst this population. The current project aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the offer and uptake of psychological interventions among individuals with ARMS.