What the study found
The review finds that people with severe mental illness, including psychoses, bipolar disorder, and severe depression, experience high levels of social exclusion. It also identifies social inclusion as something that varies across culture, life stage, and gender, rather than meaning the same thing everywhere.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest that mental health services alone may not be enough to address social inclusion, and that action is also needed through legislation, policy, statutory services, and civil society. They also conclude that better contextual adaptation is needed in future interventions.
What the researchers tested
This paper is a review of current practices, evidence, unmet needs, and future directions related to social inclusion in severe mental illness. The authors discuss subjective impacts such as loneliness, strategies to increase observable social inclusion, frameworks used in health services, and approaches to reduce stigma and discrimination.
What worked and what didn't
The paper reports that there is evidence for some interventions, but much of it comes from the Global North, with fewer examples from the Global South. It also notes alternative frameworks for social inclusion that may offer a more empowering approach for some people, but the abstract does not say which specific interventions are most effective.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide a detailed list of outcomes, effect sizes, or study quality. It also does not specify which recommendations are strongest, only that the authors make recommendations for policy makers, researchers, health professionals, and advocates based on the evidence they found.
Key points
- People with severe mental illness experience some of the highest rates of social exclusion.
- Social inclusion is described as varying by culture, life stage, and gender.
- The review considers interventions, legislation, services, and community-level strategies.
- The authors note that evidence for some interventions is largely from the Global North.
- The abstract highlights loneliness, stigma, and discrimination as important issues.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Review maps social inclusion needs for people with severe mental illness
- Authors:
- Claire Henderson, Yasuhiro Kotera, Brynmor Lloyd‐Evans, Gerald Jordan, Matthew Gorner, Anthony Salla, Jasmine Kalha, Peter A. Coventry, LAURA BOJKE, Sebastian Hinde, Mike Dominic Slade
- Institutions:
- Birmingham City University, City, University of London, Genesis Research Institute, Indian Law Institute, Institute of Mental Health, Institute of Mental Health, King's College London, Nord University, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Osaka, University College London, University of York, University of York, University of York
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-14
- DOI:
- 10.1002/wps.70031
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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